CABINET OFFICE

Internet

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what role Government Offices will play in the new campaign to increase internet usage; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: Between 1999 and April 2003, Regional Government Offices were responsible for negotiating contracts between the Department for Education and Skills and over 2,800 UK online centres funded by Capital Modernisation funding. All regional Offices were informed about the Get Started campaign and invited to get involved. During the campaign, people will be encouraged to visit UK online centres offering free internet starter sessions.

Secondments

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many civil servants were seconded to private sector industry in (a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2002–03.

Douglas Alexander: 350 civil servants were seconded to the private sector (industry and commerce) in the financial year 2000–01 and 607 in the financial year 2001–02. The Cabinet Office Interchange Unit will shortly be seeking statistical information from Departments for the 2002–03 financial year.

Secondments

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people were seconded to the Civil Service from private industry in the last year for which figures are available.

Douglas Alexander: 409 people were seconded into the Civil Service from the private sector (industry and commerce) in the financial year 2001–02. This is the most recent period for which the Cabinet Office has data.

Secondments

Phil Willis: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many employees have been seconded from Capita to the Cabinet Office since 1997; for how long they worked in the Office; and what positions they held.

Douglas Alexander: No records are held for secondments prior to 1999. From 1999 to 2003, there were no secondments from Capita to my Department.

Sickness Absence

John Bercow: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many staff in the Department have been on long-term sick leave in each of the last two years.

Douglas Alexander: I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member on 7 May 2003, Official Report, column 697W.

TRANSPORT

Concessionary Travel (Pensioners)

Harold Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make extra funds available for local authorities to pay for free, full-fare travel opportunities for pensioners in England.

David Jamieson: I refer to my reply of 23 January 2003 to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Rosindell), Official Report, columns 508–09W. We have no plans to make extra funds available for local authorities in England beyond the present provision.

Railways

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the WS Atkins report for the Strategic Rail Authority on a North-South rail line.

David Jamieson: Since the report contains commercially sensitive information, supplied by third parties on a confidential basis, it would not be appropriate to do so.

Road Traffic Accidents

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to prevent sleep-related driving accidents.

David Jamieson: We are concerned about sleep-related road accidents and have an extensive programme of publicity and research aimed at reducing these.
	Campaigns to warn drivers of the dangers of falling asleep at the wheel have run since August 2000 and have included leaflets, posters, TV and radio advertising. Most recently, radio adverts were run over Easter and the May bank holidays advising drivers to take a break. These were reinforced by some 190 truck backs, delivering to Moto, Sainsburys, Asda and others, carrying the 'Don't Drive Tired' message over the April to June period this year. We have also recently produced a new public information film, for use by TV stations, to remind drivers to take proper breaks during long journeys.
	Advice on how to avoid and combat driver tiredness is in The Highway Code and on the DfT's road safety website at: www.think.dft.gov.uk
	The Department has also undertaken considerable research to study driver sleepiness. The University of Loughborough Sleep Research Laboratory has carried out a series of road audits into sleep-related vehicle accidents on sections of selected trunk roads and motorways in the UK. The results were published in February 2001 in Road Safety Research Reports No. 21 and 22, available on-line at: www.roads.dft.gov.uk/roadsafety/index.htm A report on six more audits is due to be published in the summer. A project to study the effectiveness of motorway service areas in reducing fatigue-related accidents is also under way.

Vehicle Licences

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce a payment scheme to reward local authorities who enable the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to recover unpaid licence fees from vehicle owners; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is working closely with local authorities to tackle the problem of vehicle excise duty (VED) evasion. Enforcing VED helps to improve the accuracy of DVLA's database of vehicle keepers, which in turn, enables local authorities and the police to identify those who offend on parking charges, speeding, and other offences.
	DVLA does not charge local authorities for information on the name and address of vehicle keepers, and there are no plans to introduce a payment scheme for local authorities who provide information on unlicensed vehicles to DVLA. However, those local authorities that have taken on devolved powers to wheel clamp and impound unlicensed vehicles are able to retain the penalties charged to offenders to release their vehicles. Furthermore, the Government are in discussion with these authorities to see what else can be done to help with the costs associated with this initiative.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Animal Species

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list for each animal species to which they apply the nature of the legal requirements upon the driver of a vehicle which kills one of the species; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects all wild birds. It is an offence to kill, injure or take any wild bird (Section 1). Under Section 5(1 )(e) it is an offence to use any mechanically propelled vehicle in immediate pursuit of a wild bird for the propose of killing or taking that bird.
	Certain species of animals, listed on Schedule 5, are also protected by the 1981 Act. It is an offence to intentionally kill, injure or take any wild animal included on Schedule 5, unless it can shown that it had not been killed or taken in contravention of the provision of the 1981 Act.
	Sections 4(2)(c) for birds and 10(3)(c) for animals provides a possible defence for the driver who may kill or injure a bird or Schedule 5 animal; because a person "shall not be guilty of an offence by reason of any act made unlawful if he shows that the act was the incidental result of a lawful operation and could not reasonably have been avoided".
	Certain other animals listed on Schedule 6 of the 1981 Act may only be killed or taken by certain methods. It is an offence under Section 9(2)(e) of the 1981 Act to use any mechanically propelled vehicle in immediate pursuit of a Schedule 6 animal.
	Under Section 1(2) of the 1981 Act it is an offence to possess any wild bird unless it can be shown that it was killed or taken not in contravention of the Act. A similar defence exists for Schedule 5 animals.
	Penalties for offences committed under Part I of the 1981 Act are a maximum fine of £5,000 and/or six months custodial sentence.
	In addition the Deer Act 1991 makes it an offence in Section 4(4) for any person to (a) discharge any firearm, or project any missile, from any mechanically propelled vehicle at any deer, or (b) use any mechanically propelled vehicle for the purpose of driving deer.
	It is also an offence under section 170(4) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 not to report an accident which occurs owing to the presence of a motor vehicle on the road by which damage is caused to an animal other than an animal in or on that motor vehicle or a trailer drawn by that motor vehicle.
	("Animal" means horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig, goat or dog).
	The maximum penalty is £5,000 and/or six months custodial sentence, with between 5–10 penalty points on a licence or a disqualification.

Alternative Fuels

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what targets she has set for the use of industrial crops for alternative fuel use.

Michael Meacher: The Energy White Paper, published earlier this year, sets out the Government's aspiration to achieve the production of 20 per cent. of the UKfs electricity through renewable sources by 2020. Specific targets have not been set for different renewable technologies and the market will decide which are developed. Biomass, including purpose-grown industrial crops, could become one of the largest contributors to the renewables mix by 2020. Funding under the Energy Crops Scheme is aimed at establishing around 20,000 ha of purpose-grown energy crops by 2006. The Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme is aimed at developing projects fuelled by purpose-grown energy crops and other biomass to produce around 100MW of electricity and the production of heat and combined heat and power.
	The recently agreed Directive on the Promotion of Biofuels and other Renewable Fuels for Road Transport requires the UK and other Member States to set their own indicative targets for the use of biofuels and other renewable fuels in their areas. The Government will consult key stakeholders in due course on targets. The Government is promoting the production of biofuels through the existing 20 pence per litre duty incentive for biodiesel and the intention announced in Budget 2003 to introduce a similar duty incentive for bioethanol with effect from January 2005.

Animal By-Products

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how and when her Department intends to advise hunt kennels on how to upgrade their incinerators to knackers yard standards according to the EU Animal By-products Regulations.

Elliot Morley: Interim Guidance on Incinerators is available on the Defra website at the following address: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/by-prods/default.htm
	We are discussing more detailed guidance with interested organisations. Once it is finalised, we will make it available to hunt kennels and other premises. In the interim period, hunt kennels are advised to contact their local Defra Animal Health Office for advice.

Animal By-Products

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the annual number of each species of animal affected by the EU Animal By-products Regulations which will require disposal.

Elliot Morley: Information regarding the annual number of each animal species requiring disposal is not available.
	However, the industry has estimated that something in the order of, at least, 39 million carcases of fallen stock need to be collected and disposed of annually.
	The estimated number of animals requiring disposal is made up of the following:
	1,316,000 adult animal carcasses (bovine, ovine, swine and equine);
	2,262,000 immature animal carcasses (bovine, ovine, swine and equine); and
	36,000,000 poultry carcasses (avians).
	In arriving at this figure, assumptions have been made about mortality rates for adult and immature animals.

Animal By-Products

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how the accrued funds from the proposed national fallen stock collection scheme will be allocated to the approved renderers;
	(2)  if an approved renderer of the proposed national fallen stock scheme will be obliged to pick up all the fallen stock within a defined geographical area.

Elliot Morley: Until the viability of the proposed national fallen stock scheme is known, it is not possible to ascertain how any accrued funds might be allocated or on what detailed basis the scheme may operate.

Animal By-Products

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the costs likely to be incurred by a farmer to dispose of (a) a cow, (b) a sheep and (c) a pig under the proposed national fallen stock collection scheme.

Elliot Morley: It is not possible to provide separate costings for (a) a cow, (b) a sheep and (c) a pig, as the proposed national fallen stock scheme is based on a cost per holding rather than a cost per animal basis.
	The proposed fee was £100 per year for the average holding. There would be a discounted rate of £50 for small holdings and a higher rate of £200 for large holdings.

Animal By-Products

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the landfill sites approved to take ash from animal incineration plants.

Elliot Morley: The Environment Agency's database shows, as at 16 May 2002, 77 landfill sites approved to dispose of ash arising from incinerators burning Specified Risk Material. A list of landfill sites has been placed in the Library of the House.

Animal By-Products

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what allowances will be made for hill farmers under the proposed national fallen stock scheme.

Elliot Morley: Although no specific allowance is made for hill farmers under the proposed national fallen stock scheme, we recognise that there may be practical difficulties in collecting and removing fallen stock from upland areas.
	Although we expect hill farmers to make every effort to dispose of any carcases in accordance with the Animal By-Products Regulation, we will be asking enforcement agencies to take a pragmatic approach during wintertime and poor weather conditions.

Animal By-Products

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what research she has commissioned into the effect which the Animal By-products Regulation will have on small abattoirs; and what the results of that research were;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the change in (a) running and (b) capital costs for small abattoirs as a result of the Animal By-product Regulations.

Elliot Morley: On 1 November 2002 the Department wrote to all slaughterhouse operators to obtain information on existing blood disposal routes. Analysis of the responses indicated that a number of red meat slaughterhouses disposed of their blood direct to sewer and did not have collection tanks. As many as one third of slaughterhouses expected to have to install suitable storage facilities.
	The Department has worked closely with the Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC) and other industry experts to develop guidance on simple, low cost ways in which slaughterhouses could comply with the new requirements. This suggests that the cost of providing the necessary facilities could be as low as £200 but if more substantial work is needed it could be several thousand pounds.
	It has been estimated that the ban on applying raw blood to land or direct to sewer may increase the cost of disposing of blood from around £16/tonne, for landspreading, to £60-£80/tonne for rendering, incineration or treatment in an approved biogas or composting plant.
	A partial Regulatory Impact Assessment on the Animal By-products Regulation is in the Library of the House, as part of the consultation on the enforcing Regulations dated 27 January 2003.

Animal By-Products

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what grants are being made available by other EU member states to help small abattoirs implement the Animal By-products Regulations;
	(2)  what effect she estimates the Animal By-products Regulation will have on her plans to make small abattoirs an essential link of the chain of quality meat production and direct food retailing;
	(3)  what discussions she has had with the European Communities about grant funding for small abattoirs to provide capital to upgrade to the standards required under the Animal By-products Regulations.

Elliot Morley: Information is not available about grants to help small abattoirs implement the Animal By-products Regulation in other member states and we have had no discussion with the EC about grant funding for UK abattoirs. However, the Regional Development Agencies are analysing the needs for selective assistance in their regions to encourage innovation and investment in the meat supply chain. It is of course a prerequisite that abattoirs qualifying for any such assistance fully comply with all relevant hygiene and environmental legislation.

Animal By-Products

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure that fallen stock will be collected within 24 hours of death under the proposed national fallen stock scheme; what penalty will apply for collection after 24 hours; and to whom that penalty will apply.

Elliot Morley: Although no specific time has been specified we would envisage that fallen stock will, once an approved collector has been notified, normally be collected within 24 hours and not more than 48 hours.
	This would be consistent with existing contractual arrangements where collectors are expected to carry out the collection of fallen bovines and ovines within 24 hours for TSE testing purposes.
	The Animal By-Products Regulation requires animal by-products to be consigned or disposed of "without undue delay", which in essence means as soon as is reasonably practicable, taking into account the circumstances of the case.
	Any person in possession of animal by-products, such as fallen stock, who do not comply with the Regulation may face prosecution. Prosecutions may result in a fine of up to £5,000 and six months' imprisonment for cases heard in a magistrate's court or an unlimited fine and up to two years imprisonment for cases heard in the Crown Court.

Animal Welfare

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from what date the policy of not publishing the results of welfare checks conducted by the State Veterinary Surgery applied.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 22 May 2003
	The results of veterinary inspections are confidential to the people responsible for the animals inspected. But summaries of such farm welfare inspections have been published in the reports of the Chief Veterinary officer for many years.

Beef Exports

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total tonnage of beef exports from the United Kingdom was in each of the last seven years.

Elliot Morley: The following table shows the volume of beef exports from the United Kingdom for each of the last seven years (1996–2002).
	
		Tonnes million
		
			 Year Total 
		
		
			 1996 75 
			 1997 10 
			 1998 13 
			 1999 9 
			 2000 9 
			 2001 8 
			 2002 8 
		
	
	Note:
	From 1997 onwards exports are mainly from the UK as country of despatch and not as country of origin.
	Source:
	HM Customs and Excise, Data prepared by Statistics (Commodities and Food) Accounts and Trade, ESD, DEFRA, 2002 data is provisional and subject to amendment

Biodiversity

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to help reduce the rate of biodiversity loss throughout the world.

Elliot Morley: The World Summit on Sustainable Development set a target to significantly reduce the rate of loss of biodiversity at the global, regional, sub regional and national levels by the year 2010. A challenge of this magnitude requires international co-operation. We are working within existing international agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to this end.
	The CBD reviewed the outcomes from WSSD at its intersessional meeting in March 2003. The UK was among those Parties which pressed successfully for a recommendation that each Conference of Parties should assess progress towards the target. To faciliate this, the CBD together with the United Nations Environmental Programme-World Conservation Monitoring Centre organised an international conference in London from 21–23 May 2003 with financial support from my Department. The meeting made a number of recommendations on how we might better co-ordinate efforts to achieve the goal and monitor progress towards it.
	The Darwin Initiative is one means by which the Department provides direct support to other countries to help safeguard their biodiversity. This grant programme launched at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 assists countries that are rich in biodiversity but poor in resources to conserve and sustainably use their biological diversity. Phase II of the Initiative launched in November 2002 by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, focuses on enhanced legacy to produce greater biodiversity gains, increasing partnership with local organisations and communities and stronger links to the aims of the Convention on Biological Diversity. So far it has committed over 30 million to over 300 projects with links to some 100 developing countries and countries with economies on transition. On 2 August, the Prime Minister announced an increase in funding from £3 million per annum rising to £7 million a year by 2005–06.
	Last year also saw the largest ever replenishment of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) which now stands at three billion dollars over four years. In addition to its assessed contribution to this replenishment, the UK contributed a voluntary additional amount of £15 million, making a total contribution of around £118 million. A substantial proportion of the GEF goes to biodiversity projects and within that a substantial proportion to protectedareas.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cases of bovine TB there have been in Cumbria in each of the last five years.

Elliot Morley: The number of new bovine TB herd incidents in Cumbria 1998–2002 is given in the following table.
	
		New Herd Incidents in Cumbria 1998–2002
		
			 Year Number 
		
		
			 1998 8 
			 1999 9 
			 2000 4 
			 2001 2 
			 2002 33 
		
	
	Note
	In 2001, the TB testing and control programme was largely suspended due to the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak. Since testing resumed in 2002, resources have been concentrated on herds with overdue TB tests which would have had a longer period in which to contract the disease. Also the proportion of high risk heards being tested post-FMD is greater than that prior to the outbreak. As a result, the number of new herd incidents in 2002 is not comparable to that of previous years.

Bovine Tuberculosis

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the incidence was of bovine tuberculosis in (a) Haltemprice and Howden, (b) the East Riding of Yorkshire and (c) England in the last five years for which figures are available.

Elliot Morley: The data requested is not available for (a) Haltemprice and Howden or (b) the East Riding of Yorkshire. However, the incidence of bovine tuberculosis in Humberside and England, from 1998 to 2002, is given in the following table
	
		TB Herd incidence 1998–2002(1) -- (percentages)
		
			 Year Humberside England 
		
		
			  
			  
			 1998 0.00 2.43 
			 1999 0.00 2.63 
			 2000 0.00 3.29 
			 2001 0.00 3.94 
			 2002 0.37 4.78 
		
	
	(1) Confirmed new herd incidents as a percentage of tests on unrestricted herds.
	Note:
	In 2001, the TB testing and control programme was largely suspended due to the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak. Since testing resumed in 2002, resources have been concentrated on herds with overdue TB tests which would have had a longer period in which to contract the disease. Also the proportion of high risk herds being tested post-FMD is greater than that prior to the outbreak. As a result, herd incidence in 2002 is not comparable to that of previous years.

Bovine Tuberculosis

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cattle were slaughtered in the last five years in (a) Haltemprice and Howden, (b) the East Riding of Yorkshire and (c) England and Wales as part of the campaign against tuberculosis.

Elliot Morley: The data requested is not available for (a) Haltemprice and Howden or (b) the East Riding of Yorkshire. However, the number of cattle slaughtered in Humberside and England, from 1998 to 2002, is given in the table.
	
		Number of cattle slaughtered under bovine TB control measures 1998–2002(2)
		
			  Humberside England and Wales 
		
		
			 1998 1 5,788 
			 1999 1 6,708 
			 2000 5 8,295 
			 2001 4 5,888 
			 2002 5 22,682 
		
	
	(2) TB reactors plus direct contacts.
	Note:
	In 2001, the TB testing and control programme was largely suspended due to the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. Since testing resumed in 2002, resources have been concentrated on herds with overdue TB tests which would have had a longer period in which to contract the disease. Also the proportion of high risk herds being tested post-FMD is greater than that prior to the outbreak. As a result, the number of TB reactors identified and slaughtered in 2002 is not comparable to those identified and slaughtered in previous years.

Brazilian Beef

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many beef carcases from Brazil were tested for disease in each of the last 10 years, broken down by type of disease; and what proportion were found to pose a health risk.

Elliot Morley: There are no provisions for beef imported from Brazil or any other approved countries to be routinely tested for disease. Other controls are designed to prevent serious exotic diseases entering the country via imported meat.
	All meat imported from third countries must be accompanied by official veterinary certification. This must confirm that the meat is derived from animals which have been subjected to a veterinary inspection during the 24 hours prior to slaughter and showed no signs of diseases. Meat from Brazil must have been matured and tested to confirm that it has reached a sufficiently low pH (acidity) and then de-boned so as to remove any risk of the FMD virus being present. Whole carcase meat and bone-in cuts are not permitted.
	European Community law requires that all meat imported into the UK from third countries must enter at designated Border Inspection Posts (BIPs) where it is subject to veterinary inspections. All consignments are subject to documentary and identity checks and at least 20 per cent. of consignments undergo physical checks, which may include taking a sample for testing. It is the responsibility of the Official Veterinary Surgeon to decide what type of test might be carried out. These checks ensure import conditions are met and that the products remain in a satisfactory condition during transport.

BSE Status

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps have been taken to achieve moderate BSE status for the United Kingdom.

Elliot Morley: To achieve moderate risk status, the UK must provide evidence that it complies with World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) and EU rules. Essentially, there are three key areas where steps have been taken.
	First, the UK's normal veterinary surveillance and active monitoring programmes are in line with EU rules concerning effective surveillance systems for BSE.
	Secondly, the UK has implemented all EU legislation on TSEs in order to deal effectively with BSE risks.
	Thirdly, the UK's BSE incidence must be below the upper threshold for moderate status. This target was altered at the recent annual general meeting of the OIE for countries that have implemented active monitoring programmes, to 200 confirmed cases per million adult cattle. The consistent decline of the epidemic is steadily bringing the UK closer to this threshold.

Date-based Export Scheme

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Date-based Export Scheme; and what plans she has to amend the scheme.

Elliot Morley: The Date-based Export Scheme has been effective in enabling the UK to resume exporting British beef albeit in small quantities.
	We are currently exploring with the commission a number of proposals to amend the scheme.

Deer

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether (a) the carcasses of all deer found and (b) deer culled on the Baronsdown Deer Sanctuary will have to be disposed of at an appropriate plant under the EU Animal By-Products Regulation.

Elliot Morley: The carcases, or parts of carcases, of wild animals, including wild deer, are exempt from the scope of the Regulation unless they are thought to be diseased or are used to produce game trophies. However, the carcases from other deer would have to be disposed of via a disposal route permitted under the Regulation e.g. by rendering or incineration.

Deer

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  whether her Department is carrying out a welfare study of the deer at the Baronsdown Deer Sanctuary;
	(2)  whether the study carried out by the State Veterinary Service involved checking post mortem records of all deer carcasses found on the Baronsdown Deer Sanctuary;
	(3)  on what date she was given the State Veterinary Service Report on the Baronsdown Deer Sanctuary; who commissioned the Report; and what criteria of investigation were given to the State Veterinary Service to determine the health of the deer at the Baronsdown Deer Sanctuary;
	(4)  how long representatives of the State Veterinary Service spent at the Baronsdown Deer Sanctuary; and whether the State Veterinary Service carried out a detailed health assessment on the deer at the Baronsdown Deer Sanctuary;
	(5)  what samples were taken and whether post mortem examinations were carried out by the State Veterinary Service on the deer at the Baronsdown Deer Sanctuary.

Elliot Morley: The Baronsdown Deer Sanctuary was inspected by officials of the State Veterinary Service on 1 April 2003. The detailed findings of the inspection are confidential to the managers of the Sanctuary.

Deer

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the State Veterinary Service has required that all deer carcases found or deer culled on the Baronsdown Deer Sanctuary be subject to post mortem examination by a qualified veterinary surgeon.

Elliot Morley: The State Veterinary Service has not required all deer carcases found at Baronsdown Deer Sanctuary to be subject to a post mortem. The deer at Baronsdown are wild animals and it would not be usual for the State Veterinary Service to arrange post mortems on wild deer (these would not normally be examined unless they were intended for sale for human consumption). A veterinary inquiry pursuant to the provisions of article 6 of the Tuberculosis (Deer) Order 1989 would be undertaken only if the information received indicated that this was appropriate.

Environmental Protection

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures are in place to make large industrial companies responsible for their immediate environmental surroundings; and what plans she has to strengthen regulations.

Michael Meacher: Many industrial activities in Great Britain are currently regulated under Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This introduced the systems of Integrated Pollution Control, which controlled releases to all environmental media, and Local Air Pollution Control, which controlled releases to air only.
	The Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 were made under the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 and will eventually replace Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The Regulations implement the European Community (EC) Directive 96/61/EC on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) in so far as it relates to installations in England and Wales.
	The IPPC regime applies an integrated environmental approach to the regulation of certain industrial activities. This means that emissions to air, water (including discharges to sewer) and land, plus a range of other environmental effects, must be considered together. It also means that regulators must set permit conditions so as to achieve a high level of protection for the environment as a whole. These conditions are based on the use of the 'Best Available Techniques' (BAT), which balances the costs to the operator against the benefits to the environment. IPPC aims to prevent emissions and waste production and where that is not practicable, reduce them to acceptable levels. IPPC also takes the integrated approach beyond the initial task of permitting, through to the restoration of sites when industrial activities cease.
	Separate systems have been introduced to apply the IPPC Directive to Scotland, Northern Ireland and the offshore oil and gas industries. Regulation of industrial pollution in Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for the appropriate Ministers in these devolved administrations.

Fish Stocks

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment has been made of the (a) size and (b) future of fish stocks in UK waters; which European countries have permission to have fishing fleets in UK waters; and what recent discussions she has had with representatives from these countries regarding conserving fish supply.

Elliot Morley: The International Council for Exploration of the Sea's Advisory Committee on Fisheries Management produces advice every year on the state of a range of fish stocks in EU waters and the waters of third countries, as well as international waters. The most recent advice was produced last October.
	France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland and Germany have limited access to fish in UK waters in the six to 12 mile zone, in line with their historic rights. The Faroe Islands and Norway also have access to certain UK waters under the terms of the bilateral fisheries agreements with the EU.
	I regularly speak to these and other EU member states , and last did so at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 26 May 2003.

Flood Defence

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) total remuneration and (b) benefits will be received by the Chairman of the Wessex Flood Control Committee.

Elliot Morley: The Chairman will receive £15,195 per annum based on a time input of five days per month. This payment is not pensionable.
	He may in addition claim travel and subsistence expenses incurred away from his normal place of work, and any other expenses necessarily incurred on business in line with the expenses guidance for Committee Chairmen issued by the Environment Agency.

Flood Defence

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the job description is of the chairman of the Wessex Flood Defence Committee; and how many hours per week he is contracted for.

Elliot Morley: The specification sent to applicants stated as follows:
	"Applicants will need to demonstrate an interest in and knowledge of flood and coastal defence matters; experience of chairing meetings at a senior level; excellent communication skills; good knowledge of their regions; a balanced and broad understanding of relevant environmental issues; and the ability to liaise with a wide range of interest groups. No specific academic or professional qualifications are required and there are no age limits for these appointments. Applicants must have sufficient energy and dynamism to cope with a demanding role.
	Applicants should have a background of successful achievement in the area covered by the Committee. They should have proven representational skills and the ability to deal with people at all levels. They also need good chairmanship skills to be able to bring together differing interests and opinions to ensure the Committee works efficiently and effectively. They need intellectual skills to be able to find solutions when faced with conflicting demands."
	The Chairman of the Wessex Regional Flood Defence Committee is appointed on the basis of five days input per month.

Flood Defence

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what safeguards there are to prevent conflicts of interest by Flood Defence Committee chairmen.

Elliot Morley: This is explored at interview with candidates, who are asked to make sure that there are no conflicts of interest.
	Chairmen are issued with various guidance documents along with their formal instrument of appointment, including: Cabinet Office Guidance on Codes of Practice for Members of Public Bodies; and guidance on political activities.
	Their letter of appointment specifically says that they "should avoid situations in which their official duties and private interests conflict or where there would be a suspicion of conflict. Relevant interests should be entered in the Register of Interests maintained by the Environment Agency and the entry kept up to date. Guidance on conflicts of interest will be provided by the Environment Agency and should be adhered to". The letter also informs them of the provisions of the House of Commons Disqualification Act.

Flood Defence

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people applied for the post of Wessex Flood Defence Committee Chairman.

Elliot Morley: Twenty.

Flood Defence

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) employment and (b) membership of political parties was declared by the new chairman of the Wessex Flood Defence Committee.

Elliot Morley: Humphrey Temperley declared that he is currently Executive Director of the European Nature Trust. He was at the time of application Chair of the Parrett Catchment Project Management Group. Since then he has informed us that he has resigned the position with a replacement chair taking over from 7 May 2003. He has also informed us that he will be terminating his consultancy contract with the Group from 30 June 2003.
	Other positions declared by Mr. Temperley were: Executive Chair of Somerset Flood Defence Committee since July 2000, following membership of the committee since 1985; Corporate Performance Assessor (Part-time) for the Audit Commission 2002–03; self employed consultant providing environmental policy advice; Chair of Exmoor National Park Authority 1993–2001; Chair of Somerset County Council 2000–01; CountyCouncillor 1985–2001; District Councillor 1983–1999. Current voluntary interests: Chair Corporate Forum for National Parks; Co-opted Council member, Council for National Parks; Trustee of two small charitable environmental trusts; Member, Exmoor Consultative Forum and the Exmoor Society; Member, England Forestry Forum; Member, SWRDA rural policy advisory group.
	In relation to political involvement, Mr Temperley stated that he was an elected County and District Councillor 1983–2001; Yeovil Constituency Chair for two years; Parliamentary candidate for Wells, 1992; and politically inactive since 2000. Mr. Temperley said that his activity was undertaken for the Liberal Democrats.

Flood Defence

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Chairman of the Wessex Flood Defence Committee will take up his post.

Elliot Morley: On 1 July 2003, for a three year period.

Flood Defence

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the need to increase the Thames flood defence measures as part of the planning for the Thames Gateway project; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The government recognises that flood risk management is crucial to the successful development of the Thames Gateway. In order to improve understanding of the likely effect of the Thames Gateway construction on existing and future flood management arrangements, my department has consulted with the Environment Agency. As a result, the Agency has accelerated plans for a strategic flood risk assessment of the Thames Gateway Zones of Change.
	This study is scheduled for completion at the end of May 2003, but early indications are that cost effective and sustainable flood risk management within the Thames Gateway, can be achieved by creative and intelligent planning and design. This will require close partnership working between the government and all agencies and developers involved. This strategic approach also opens up opportunities for significant enhancement of the environment that would not be possible if development is undertaken in an uncoordinated way. There are financial and environmental benefits to be gained from developing the Thames Gateway in a careful and sustainable way, including building flood defences at the time of development rather than later, or by allowing sufficient space for future defence construction in the development.

Food (Terrorism)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of protection against terrorist action in the (a) food production and (b) food distribution industries.

Elliot Morley: The terrorist threat to the UK, including the threat to the food production and food distribution industries, is monitored regularly by the Government and we and the industry remain vigilant. Advice on any terrorist threat to the UK is the responsibility of the Security Service. The Director General of the Security Service is responsible to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary for this advice, which is provided on a continual basis. Strategic assessments about terrorist threats to the UK are provided to the Government by the Joint Intelligence Committee.
	Defra is also heavily engaged in the central Government programme to improve civil contingency planning, especially in areas relating to our departmental responsibilities. Planning is developed and agreed with stakeholders, both in government and industry, including food and agriculture interests, to ensure that the UK's resilience to emergencies of all kinds, including possible terrorist action against the UK food chain, is improved.

Illegal Meat Imports

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with HM Customs and Excise regarding intelligence on illegal meat imports.

Elliot Morley: Officials from Defra have regular meetings with colleagues in HM Customs and Excise to discuss intelligence matters with regard to illegal imports of animal and plant products.
	We will be jointly analysing available data to look for trends and will be discussing ways in which we can disseminate the information.

Job Losses

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many jobs have been lost in UK agriculture in the last five years.

Elliot Morley: Figures from the Agricultural and Horticultural Census indicate the labour on agricultural holdings in June each year (including farmers and their spouses if working on holdings). These figures show the net change in the labour force.
	
		Total UK Labour force (thousands)
		
			  
		
		
			  
			 1998 608.2 
			 1999 586.0 
			 2000 556.9 
			 2001(e) 549.9 
			 2001(f) 568.4 
			 2002 550.5 
		
	
	Notes:
	Includes estimates for minor holdings
	Estimates have been made for non-respondents
	Figures exclude school children but include trainees employed under an official youth training scheme and paid at Agricultural Wages Board rates or above.
	From 1998, all farmers managing holdings for limited companies or other institutions in England and Wales were asked to classify themselves as salaried managers.
	(e) June 2001 results assuming England register improvements had not taken place (comparable with June 2000).
	(f) June 2001 results including England register improvement (not directly comparable with June 2000).

Livestock Movements

Candy Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the progress of the European Commission's proposals for the transportation of horses and donkeys to slaughter.

Elliot Morley: The European Commission proposals for changes to the welfare of animals during transport Directive (91/628/EEC), which includes rules on the transport of horses for slaughter, are still awaited.
	David Byrne, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, indicated on 4 April that proposals would be announced in the "not too distant future" during a speech to the Veterinary Officers Association of Ireland.
	We hope proposals will be released soon and look forward to a major role in negotiations. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has already called for a reduction in the maximum journey times permitted for slaughter animals.

Livestock Traceability

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research her Department has commissioned on the effectiveness of the regulations on livestock traceability; and what plans she has to amend them.

Elliot Morley: Defra propose to run a pilot trial to fully test Electronic Identification (EID) and Electronic Data Transfer (EOT) systems within the English sheep industry. The aim is to test the effectiveness of EID/EDT in a live working environment, analysing take up issues on the use of electronic tracing and identifying the benefits. We plan to run the pilot trial from December 2003 to December 2004, with a full report available in February 2005. This trial will help to inform future policies in this area.

Pesticides

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what controls are in place to govern the use of pesticides on crops; who is responsible for allowing the use of new pesticides; what checks are in place; and if she will make a statement on her most recent assessment of the effectiveness of pesticides.

Elliot Morley: The use of pesticides on crops is governed by two legislative systems running in parallel. Established agricultural pesticides are regulated by the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (as amended), made under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985. New pesticides for use on crops are regulated by the Plant Protection Product Regulations 1995 (as amended), which implement EC Directive 91/414/EEC.
	All established agricultural pesticides are subject to an on-going EU review programme to ensure that the data supporting their approvals meet modern safety standards. Subject to a satisfactory outcome, they are then regulated, with new pesticides, under the Plant Protection Product Regulations 1995.
	The following Government Departments have joint responsibility for allowing the use of new pesticides: the Department of Food, Environment and Rural Affairs, the Department of Health, the Health and Safety Executive (for the Department for Work and Pensions), the Food Standards Agency, the Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Executive.
	The Health and Safety Executive carries out checks on the safe use and storage of agricultural pesticides during inspections of farms and other holdings, as part of their work in assessing compliance in general with health and safety legislation.
	The effectiveness of pesticides is considered as an integral part of the approval process and is assessed when an application is made for the marketing and use of a pesticide product.

Pesticides

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assistance is available to farmers who do not use pesticides on their crops; and what proposals she has to encourage non-use of (a) pesticides and (b) other chemicals on crops.

Elliot Morley: The Government's Organic Farming Scheme encourages the expansion of organic production which uses only a limited range of pesticides. Under the Scheme, farmers moving from conventional to organic farming methods receive financial help during the conversion process. From 30 May 2003, assistance will also be available under the Scheme for existing organic farmers who comply with certain environmental measures.
	It is established Government policy to encourage farmers and growers to reduce the use of conventional pesticides. This policy is supported in a number of ways including the work of the Pesticides Forum, which promotes responsible pesticide use. The Government also support the industry-led Voluntary Initiative, which aims to encourage farmers to adopt practices that reduce impacts on the environment.
	It is also Government policy to encourage farmers to minimise their use of other chemical inputs. One of the most important measures we have taken in England is the introduction of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones, in which the use of nitrogen fertiliser is limited and controlled.

Pesticides

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what European Union funding is available to support farmers to encourage non-use of pesticides on crops; and what recent discussions have taken place with EU representatives regarding organic foods.

Elliot Morley: The EU co-funds the Countryside Stewardship, Environmentally Sensitive Area and Organic Farming Schemes under the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP). These agri-environment schemes offer a range of management options primarily designed to achieve a range of objectives including protecting and enhancing bio-diversity, wildlife, landscape, historic environment and access. Some of these Schemes do place restrictions on the use of pesticides where it is necessary to achieve these objectives. Agreements are however, not offered solely for the non-use of pesticides.
	It is our intention to integrate continuing support for Organic Farmers into the new Entry Level Agri-environment Scheme, due to be launched in 2005. This is currently under development and being discussed with stakeholders now. The proposals will be discussed with the European Commission later this year.

Pesticides

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the operating cost was of the Pesticides Safety Directorate, in each of the last five years.

Elliot Morley: The operating costs for PSD for the past five years are as follows:
	
		£ millions
		
			  Operating costs 
		
		
			  
			  
			 2001–02 11,918(3) 
			 2000–01 11,263 
			 1999–2000 11,185 
			 1998–99 11,070 
			 1997–98 11,305 
		
	
	(3) Additional costs of £898,000 in 2001–02 associated with the foot and mouth disease are not included in the above figure.

Seaforth Docks Bird Reserve

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what types of birds and what size of population are supported in the bird reserve in Seaforth Docks; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Seaforth Nature Reserve, owned by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, and managed by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, is of national, European and international importance for the numbers of redshank (1,590 individuals) and turnstone (760 individuals) it supports in winter, and of national and European importance for its population of breeding common tern (124 pairs), a species listed in Annex I to the EC Birds Directive (79/409/EEC). The aforementioned population numbers are average counts from the period 1994–95 1998–99 for the two wintering species, and the period 1996 -2000 for breeding common terns. These were the most recently available data used to justify the inclusion of part of Seaforth Docks within the Mersey Narrows and North Wirral Foreshore potential Special Protection Area (in accordance with the EC Birds Directive 79/409/EEC) and Ramsar site (in accordance with the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat 1971).

Seaforth Docks Bird Reserve

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the condition of the flood defence measures on the Sefton coastline from Formby pinewoods to Seaforth Docks.

Elliot Morley: Defra provides grant aid on capital flood and coastal defence projects that meet specified criteria and an appropriate priority score. Operational responsibility for planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of defence measures rests with the operating authorities—normally the Environment Agency (EA), local councils and internal drainage boards—which have the relevant local knowledge. They also identify the need for defence measures and decide which projects to promote and their timing.
	Defra also encourages operating authorities to take a strategic approach to coastal defence measures. I understand that both Sefton Council and the EA, who are responsible for lengths of this coastline, are preparing coastal defence strategies which will, inter alia, take into account the condition of defences and seek to identify sustainable measures. Defra is providing grant to the Council towards the cost of related studies.

Seaforth Docks Bird Reserve

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the condition and management of the SSSI sites between Formby pinewoods and Seaforth Docks.

Elliot Morley: Formby Pinewoods to Seaforth Docks is part of the Sefton Coast SSSI, which extends for over 20 km between Southport and Crosby covering a total area of 4605.32 ha. 3834.81 ha of the SSSI is recorded as being in favourable or recovering condition and 770.51 ha is recorded as being in unfavourable condition.Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council is the largest single owner/manager with English Nature, The National Trust, MoD and five golf courses are responsible for other substantial areas. These partners are guided by "The Sefton Coast Management Strategy 1999" and "The Sefton Coast Management Plan 1997–2006",which have been agreed in consultation with English Nature.
	Seaforth Docks is located within the 117.84 ha of Mersey Narrows SSSI which covers both sides of the mouth of the Mersey Estuary. Seaforth Docks is recorded as being in favourable condition with the last condition assessment completed in May 2000, prior to notification.
	The Mersey Docks and Harbour Company is the owner of the SSSI area within the Seaforth Docks. This site is currently under positive management for nature conservation by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust as agreed and consented by English Nature.

Sewage Treatment

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to discuss (a) reed bed and (b) other soft technology approaches with representatives of (i) Ofwat, (ii) the Environment Agency and (iii) waste companies, with specific reference to sewage alleviation.

Elliot Morley: Reed beds and other sustainable drainage systems can, in the right conditions, help to alleviate sewer flooding. My Department has already been in discussions with the Environment Agency, Ofwat and the water industry on this subject and the Environment Agency published the Framework for Sustainable Drainage Systems consultation paper on 19 May.

Sickness Absence

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff in the Department have been on long-term sick leave in each of the last two years.

Alun Michael: I would refer the hon. Member to my earlier reply of 30 April 2003, Official Report, column 383W.
	Responsibility for attendance matters within the Central Science Laboratory Agency, the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, the Rural Payments Agency and the Centre for the Environmental Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Agency has been delegated to the Agency Chief Executives and I have asked them to reply direct. The Pesticides Safety Directorate and Veterinary Medicines Directorate Agency are covered by the Departmental response.
	Letter from Peter Greig-Smith to Mr. Bercow, dated May 2003
	The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has asked me to reply to your question regarding how many staff were on long term sick leave in each of the last two years. I am replying on behalf of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).
	For CEFAS staff, a review of point of 60 days (ie 2 months or more) is used to define long term absence. During the past 2 years, the numbers of staff on long term absence were as follows:
	2001—9
	2002—7
	CEFAS has successfully introduced a scheme for 'Return to Workplace' interviews and is fully committed to managing attendance effectively. We are on target for achieving the reduced levels of sickness absence we have set out for the Agency.
	Letter from Steven Edwards to Mr. Bercow dated May 2003
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question regarding how many staff in her Department have been on long-term sick leave in each of the last two years.
	There is no central definition of what constitutes long-term sick absence. VLA has adopted a pro-active stance to monitoring attendance with earlier and speedier referrals to the Occupational Physician.
	The following figures cover staff within VLA for absences beginning in the years listed:
	2001—15
	2002—20
	VLA is committed to the effective management of sickness absence and to meeting sickness absence reduction targets.
	Letter from Professor Mike Roberts to Mr. Bercow dated May 2003
	The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has asked me to reply, with respect to the Central Science Laboratory, to your question concerning how many staff were on long-term sick leave in each of the last two years.
	I would refer the Honourable Member to my letter of 15 April 2003 in response to Parliamentary Question No. 2668 which contained details of CSL's long-term sick absence for each of the last five years.
	Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mr. Bercow dated 23 May 2003
	I have been asked to respond directly to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning long term sick leave.
	Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff in her Department have been on long term sick leave in each of the last two years.
	Information on the number of staff who have been on long term sick leave in each of the last two years is not available for the Rural Payments Agency (RPA).
	RPA is a relatively new organisation formed in October 2001. RPA is still developing a computerised Personnel System to provide sickness absence data of the kind requested. Specific information on numbers of staff on long term sick leave could only be obtained at disproportionate administrative cost and time.
	RPA is committed to managing sickness absence effectively and to meeting internal performance targets for reducing sickness absence for 2003–04.
	RPA has developed a sickness absence management policy and procedures, that includes a revised strategy for managing long term sickness absence, for implementation from June 2003.
	RPA also acts responsibly to the legal obligation to provide a safe working environment for employees and is committed to meeting targets for reducing the number of working days lost generally due to work related injuries and illness, arising from the government's Revitalising Health and Safety initiative.

Strychnine Hydrochloride

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the cost to farmers of non-availability of strychnine hydrochloride; what representations she has received from the farming industry on its availability; what research she has commissioned on alternative poisons for farming pest control; and if she will make a statement on future supplies of strychnine hydrochloride.

Elliot Morley: Defra first became aware of difficulties obtaining strychnine hydrochloride in early February when a number of regular users contacted Defra's Rural Development Service who are responsible for authorising use of this compound to control mole infestations. Enquiries by my officials revealed that the difficulties had arisen due to a shortage of raw material experienced by the supplier used by many pharmacies. An alternative supplier, who gave assurances that they were able to meet demands, was identified and contact details were posted on the Defra website in early March (www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/vertebrates/strychnine-shortage.htm).
	Furthermore, to ease difficulties obtaining strychnine, Defra temporarily suspended the practice of specifying a named pharmacist on the permit to purchase strychnine (Form LP10). This change, which remains in force, enables authorised permit holders to purchase strychnine from any pharmacist with stocks of the compound.
	In view of the temporary nature of the shortages, an assessment of the cost to farmers was considered unnecessary.
	Representations were received from regular users, including pest controllers and farmers.
	Aluminium phosphide is also approved for use as an alternative for mole control. In the past the Department has commissioned work on a further alternative preparation, micro-encapsulated bromoform. This preparation has not been through the approvals process and it is not considered appropriate for the Department to pay for such registration costs.
	Defra has recently asked the Central Science Laboratory to undertake a review of the range of mole control methods which exist across the EU. The aim of this review is to produce guidance to UK interests on the most humane and effective methods of mole control which are currently available.
	As far as I am aware, strychnine hydrochloride is currently available from pharmacies, and there have been no recent enquiries reporting shortages. I am unable to comment on the long-term availability of this compound, as this is a matter for the importers.

TB (Somerset)

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on TB control in Somerset.

Elliot Morley: TB control in Somerset is carried out in accordance with national policy.
	The latest available data show there are 3,459 cattle herds registered in the county. Of these, 182 herds (5.3 per cent.) have been under TB restrictions at some point in the period 1 January to 31 March 2003. Up to the end of March there had been 63 new TB incidents (22 confirmed, 26 unconfirmed and 15 with laboratory results outstanding).
	The State Veterinary Service has worked very hard over the last 18 months to reduce the number of overdue TB herd tests. By the end of March the number of herd tests overdue in Somerset had been reduced to 222.

Water Extraction

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps can be taken by the Environment Agency in an emergency situation to speed up the process of granting a licence to extract water from a river.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 3 June 2003
	The Water Resources Act 1991 provides that the requirements for abstraction licensing do not apply under certain emergency situations, including the abstraction of water for fire-fighting, and for the purpose of preventing the flooding of land and property.
	All other qualifying abstractions are required to follow the normal process. The speed at which the application will be dealt will depend upon a variety of circumstances, such as the complexity of the case and the need to investigate.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Alstom

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the imminent closure of Alstom's traction production; and what discussions she (a) has had and (b) will have with officials from Alstom regarding the closure of the new build train production.

Alan Johnson: It is disappointing that Alstom has chosen to end traction production in Preston. This is a commercial matter for the company but it will have come as a bitter blow to the workforce. We will liaise with regional partners and Job Centre Plus to ensure that individuals are given help to find new jobs or help with new training.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has held discussions with the company about its general restructuring strategy, announced on 12 March. Ministers and officials will remain in close contact with the company.

Broadband

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the level of competition in the broadband market.

Stephen Timms: The Government target is for the UK to have the most extensive and competitive broadband market in the G7 by 2005. Latest statistics indicate that at the end of March 2003, we had the third most competitive market based on measures of choice, price and regulatory framework. This is up from fourth in the G7 a year before.

Consumer Credit Act

Martin O'Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will ensure that consultations are held with bodies representing (a) small business and (b) finance providers on whether to amend provisions of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 concerning the provision of business finance before decisions on the issue are taken.

Melanie Johnson: Bodies representing small businesses and finance providers have been closely involved in the review of the Consumer Credit Act since July 2001. These groups continue to play a key role in the review process. They are involved in on-going discussions with officials, and receive and comment on consultation papers when they are published.
	One key aspect of the review, is to ensure that changes to the legislation will not diminish the access to business finance currently available to small and medium-sized businesses.

Veterinary Medicines

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the proposals not to allow veterinary surgeons to charge for prescriptions over the next three years, within the OFT proposals based on the Competition Commissions inquiry into the supply of prescription only veterinary medicines.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 3 June 2003
	The Competition Commission's reasoning for not allowing veterinary surgeons to charge for prescriptions over the next three years is set out in paragraphs 2.169 to 2.173 of volume I of the report. The Commission stated in the report that if it was concerned simply to establish the correct market price for prescriptions then it might be reasonable to leave vets to set their own prices and then rely on the market. The Commission reasoned that prescription charges have a major impact on competition with pharmacies, as vets are able to set the charges so as to deter clients from asking for prescriptions. In that way, they can influence the terms of competition with pharmacies to their own advantage. The Commission's view is that the three-year period of writing prescriptions at no additional charge is necessary in order to ensure that charges will not deter animal owners from obtaining written prescriptions and making use of pharmacies.

Veterinary Medicines

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what organisations were consulted in the Competition Commission's inquiry into the supply of prescription only veterinary medicines.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 3 June 2003
	Parties who gave evidence during the course of the Competition Commission's inquiry included: manufacturers of veterinary medicines, veterinary wholesalers, veterinary surgeons, pharmacists, veterinary organisations, Government bodies and other interested parties. A full list of those who gave evidence, and details of their evidence can be found in pages 273 to 537 of volume I of the report.

Veterinary Medicines

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what discussions she has had with representatives of veterinary practices in Scotland on the impact of the recommendations contained in the Competition Commission's report Veterinary Medicines: a Report on the Supply within the United Kingdom of Prescription-only Veterinary Medicines on rural veterinary practices;
	(2)  what discussions she plans to have with the Scottish Executive on the impact of the Competition Commission Report, Veterinary Medicines: a Report on the Supply Within the United Kingdom of Prescription-only Veterinary Medicines in Scotland.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 3 June 2003
	My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Trade & Industry has asked the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to discuss with interested parties the terms of orders that could be made under the Fair Trading Act 1973 (FTA) to implement the Competition Commission's proposed remedies. The OFT has written out to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the British Veterinary Association and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, among others. Each of these bodies have members who practice in Scotland. Many vets based in Scotland have also written individually to the OFT.
	The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is currently preparing a response to the Competition Commission's regulatory recommendations. The Scottish Executive has been asked to contribute to this.

Veterinary Medicines

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what guidance she gave to the Competition Commission regarding the consideration of animal welfare in its recent inquiry into the supply of prescription only veterinary medicines; and whether animal welfare fell within the remit of the Competition Commission's inquiry.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 3 June 2003
	The Competition Commission was asked to assess whether there was a monopoly situation in the supply of prescription-only veterinary medicines, and whether such a monopoly acted against the public interest.
	The Commission, in its report, fully accepted that the supply of prescription-only veterinary medicines raises issues that go wider than competition and that the public interest includes protection of public safety and animal welfare. The Commission received submissions from interested parties including vets, members of the public, animal charities and the Government's Chief Veterinary Officer, which touched on animal welfare issues. The Commission took account of these submissions in reaching its conclusions.

WALES

Antisocial Behaviour

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives the Government is taking to combat anti-social behaviour in Wales.

Don Touhig: The Government remains committed to tackling anti-social behaviour. The Anti-Social Behaviour Bill currently before this House provides many new tools for practitioners in dealing with the causes and effects of anti-social behaviour.

Manufacturing

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary about manufacturing industry in North Wales.

Peter Hain: We have discussed how the down turn in the global economy has effected some sectors in North Wales and how the long-term future of other sectors is good particularly with the growing trend towards high-tech high-skilled industries and centres of excellence such as Airbus, Broughton.

Bovine TB

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what meetings he has held with secretaries in the National Assembly for Wales about the Government's efforts to prevent the spread of bovine TB.

Don Touhig: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has regular meetings with the First Secretary, whilst I meet the Assembly Agriculture Secretary and DEFRA Ministers to discuss a variety of issues, including the issue of bovine TB.

Agriculture Department

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the work of the National Assembly for Wales' Agriculture Department.

Don Touhig: My right hon. Friend and I have regular meetings with the First Secretary to discuss a variety of issues in relation to agriculture.

Advertising

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the total expenditure on advertising by the Department was in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03; and what the level of planned expenditure is for (i) 2003–04 and (ii) 2004–05.

Peter Hain: I refer the hon. Member to the answer which my predecessor gave him on 15 April 2002, Official Report, column 750W.

Civil Service (People with Disabilities)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made in meeting targets for the proportion of people with disabilities in senior posts in the Department.

Peter Hain: My Department has only one Senior Civil Service post and so a target cannot be meaningfully applied.
	In total, my Department has two people (equivalent to about 4 per cent. of its staff) with a disability.

Efficiency Savings

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the target is for efficiency savings in 2003–04 expressed (a) in money terms and (b) as a percentage of the Department's expenditure limit.

Peter Hain: My Department seeks maximum efficiency in every spending decision it takes; it does not have a fixed annual target.

Legal Deposit Libraries Bill

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has held with (a) Secretaries in the National Assembly for Wales and (b) ministerial colleagues regarding the Legal Deposit Libraries Bill.

Peter Hain: I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues and with Ministers in the Welsh Assembly Government on matters affecting Wales. Officials in the National Assembly have been involved in detailed discussions with those in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Mental Health

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of his staff retired on medical grounds due to mental health problems in the last year.

Peter Hain: Staff of my Department are all on secondment or loan from other Departments. Any retirement would therefore be taken from the Home Department rather than from the Wales Office.

Sickness Absence

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff in the Department have been on long-term sick leave in each of the last two years.

Peter Hain: In my Department there has been only one staff on long-term sick leave in each of the last two years.
	Long-term sick leave is defined as continuous sickness absence of 30 days or more.

Sponsorship

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which of his Department's projects have received sponsorship in the last financial year; who the sponsor was in each case; what the nature of each project was; what time period was covered by each project; what the total cost of each project was; how much money was involved in each sponsorship deal; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: None.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Literacy

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many adults are illiterate; and what percentage of adults this represents.

Ivan Lewis: The Moser Report (1999) indicated that around 7 million adults in England have poor literacy skills (equivalent to 21 per cent. of the population aged 16–65), and that even more have a problem with numbers. The Department has commissioned a new representative sample survey of working age adults in England to provide an up-to-date assessment of the scale of literacy and numeracy need. These estimates will be mapped to the new national basic skills standards and will be published in September 2003.

Playing Field Sales

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to reduce the number of school playing field sales.

Stephen Twigg: Prior to October 1998, there was no regulation of the sale of playing fields at local authority controlled schools. If a local authority wanted to sell a school playing field there was nothing to stop it. No central records were kept of how many school playing fields were sold before October 1998.
	Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 was introduced on 1 October 1998 to stop the indiscriminate sale of school playing fields that occurred in the 1980s and early to mid 1990s. Local authorities and governing bodies of all maintained schools now need the Secretary of State's consent before they can dispose of a playing field or any part of a playing field.
	Applications to dispose of school playing fields are assessed against three main criteria. These are:
	(i) schools' needs: that playing field provision and curriculum requirements at the school making the disposal, and at other schools in the local area, will be met;
	(ii) community needs: that community use of school playing fields is taken into account, with alternative facilities made available if necessary, and
	(iii) finance: that any sale proceeds are reinvested to provide new or improved sports facilities, or are used otherwise to help raise standards by providing better educational facilities.
	All applications made since 16 July 2001 have been scrutinised by the School Playing Fields Advisory Panel. The Panel comprises representatives from the National Playing Fields Association, the Central Council of Physical Recreation, Learning through Landscapes, the National Association of Head Teachers and the Local Government Association. The Panel provides advice on the extent to which applications meet the published criteria. In 1999 the Government approved 42 applications to sell school playing fields larger than a sports pitch; 32 applications were approved in 2000, 22 in 2001 and 23 in 2002.

Playing Field Sales

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many school playing fields have been sold in the last 10 years.

David Miliband: Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 was introduced on 1 October 1998 to stop the indiscriminate sale of school playing fields that occurred in the 1980s and early to mid 1990s. Local authorities and governing bodies of all maintained schools now need the Secretary of State's consent before they can dispose of a playing field or any part of a playing field. Applications to sell school playing fields are only approved where it is clear that they meet the published criteria and, in particular, that any proceeds will be used to improve school sports provision or education facilities.
	There are no central records of how many school playing fields were sold before October 1998. Between October 1998 and December 1998, the Government approved 7 applications to sell school playing fields larger than a sports pitch; 42 applications were approved in 1999, 32 in 200, 22 in 2001 and 23 in 2002.

Publicity Photographs

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether he (a) sought and (b) obtained agreement to pupils being photographed for publicity purposes on the occasion of his announcement on pupil testing on 20 May from (i) their parents, (ii) the school governors, (iii) the head teacher and (iv) the local education authority.

Stephen Twigg: I can confirm that permissions were sought. The Department has clear guidelines setting out when permission needs to be sought and how it is to be sought.

Tewkesbury After-Hours Club

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement about the OFSTED report into the Tewkesbury After-Hours Club.

David Miliband: holding answer 3 June 2003
	This is a matter for Ofsted and their HM Chief Inspector, David Bell, will write to the hon. Member and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.

Young Carers

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures have been instituted in schools in recognition of extra demands put on carers under the age of 16.

Ivan Lewis: We have made a Vulnerable Children's Grant (worth £84 million this year) available to all local education authorities. This will help them secure access to education for all vulnerable children, including young carers. Sixty-one LEAs are also receiving additional funding for Behaviour Improvement Programme projects. These typically include multi-agency Behaviour and Education Support Teams who provide additional support for pupils who are at risk of becoming disengaged from their education.

TREASURY

Benefit Claims

Harry Barnes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many claims were made to the Inland Revenue on forms (a) P161, (b) R27 and (c) R40 in the last year for which figures are available; how many of these claims were successful; and what estimates he has made of the numbers who were entitled to the benefit concerned.

Dawn Primarolo: 522,371 R40 forms were received during the year ended 31 March 2003, of which 521,533 were successfully processed by 31 March. In addition, some forms were issued and processed by local offices. No estimate is available of the number of individuals who received repayments of tax.
	Information relating to forms P161 and R27 is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Construction (Public-private Partnership)

Gary Streeter: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the capacity of the construction industry to meet the Government's PPP requirements in the current financial year; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: The Government keep all aspects of market capacity under review in order to safeguard high quality competition and value for money. In addition, officials maintain an on-going dialogue with the key representative bodies in the construction sector, including the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), Confederation for British Industry (CBI), and the Major Contractors Group (MCG).

Heavily Indebted Poor Countries

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  pursuant to his Answer of 15 May 2003, Official Report, column 377W, on heavily indebted poor countries, whether he will make a detailed proposal for a donor-funded technical assistance facility to provide advice to HIPC countries facing litigation at the forthcoming G8 summit in Evian;
	(2)  if he will introduce tax incentives for creditors taking part in the HIPC initiative;
	(3)  pursuant to his Answer of 15 May 2003, Official Report, column 377W, on heavily indebted poor countries, what steps have been taken by (a) the IMF and (b) the World Bank since the G7 Kananaskis summit to encourage creditors to take part in the HIPC Initiative;
	(4)  pursuant to his answer of 15 May 2003, Official Report, column 377W, what plans he has to amend legislation governing litigation against heavily indebted poor countries;
	(5)  pursuant to his answer of 15 May 2003, Official Report, column 377W, on heavily indebted poor countries, what plans he has to convene a conference to discuss with creditors the value of participating in debt relief for heavily indebted poor countries;
	(6)  pursuant to his answer of 15 May 2003, Official Report, column 377W, on heavily indebted poor countries, what the implementation status is of each of the commitments from the G7 Kananaskis summit;
	(7)  pursuant to his answer of 15 May 2003, Official Report, column 377W, on heavily indebted poor countries, whether the World Bank has drawn up a timetable to investigate options for assisting with HIPC-to-HIPC debt.

John Healey: The UK government has been at the forefront of the international debate on debt relief issues, and continues to press for the rapid and full implementation of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. In particular, the UK is seeking agreement that additional bilateral voluntary debt relief should be excluded from the calculation of topping-up at Completion Point in the HIPC initiative, and this rule change could provide a further US $1 billion in debt relief to HIPCs. The UK is also seeking to explore further options to address the issues of creditor litigation within the enhanced HIPC initiative. While the initiative does not alter the legal rights and obligations between HIPCs and their external creditors the UK believes that an adequate HIPC legal defence is still essential in reaching fair and equitable settlements with some creditors. More detail on the steps taken by the IMF and World Bank to encourage creditor participation and the status of commitments on HIPC from the G7 Kananaskis Summit, can be found in the September 2002 HIPC Status of Implementation Report and the March 2003 HIPC Initiative—Statistical Update. Both are available from the World Bank Website www.worldbank.orq/hipc.
	On March 12, 2003, the Executive Board of the IMF paper discussed creditor participation issues in the HIPC initiative. The Public Information Notice issued by the IMF on April 3, 2003, for this meeting reported the discussion between Directors on the issue of HIPC-to-HIPC debt:
	"On HIPC-to-HIPC debt relief, Directors took note of the fact that these claims are concentrated in a few HIPC creditors, and that some creditors have already made commitments to deliver their share of debt relief under the Initiative. Directors agreed that, where resolution of such outstanding claims is hindered by technical issues, the staff should be ready to provide technical assistance when requested by both parties, to help HIPC creditors and debtors themselves resolve these outstanding technical disputes.
	Many Directors welcomed the proposal of the World Bank staff to establish and administer a trust fund to channel donor assistance to finance HIPC-to-HIPC debt relief. They agreed that such a trust fund should be used in cases where HIPC creditors are unable to deliver their share of HIPC relief owing to financial constraints, in accordance with the principles and conditions set out by individual donors. Others, however, questioned the need for such a fund given the small size of HIPC-to-HIPC debt and the existence of moral hazard issues."
	The full text of this Public Information Notice is available from the IMF website www. imf.org/external/news.htm. With respect to tax incentives for creditors taking part in the HIPC initiative, corporate loan creditors can already claim relief under the loan relationships regime for losses on the release of debt owed by HIPC countries. The Inland Revenue is not aware of any non-corporate loan creditors.
	While the UK continues to work hard to promote the HIPC initiative the Government acknowledges that debt relief is not a panacea for broader economic development problems; even the provision of 100 per cent. debt relief to all low-income countries would still fall short of the resources needed to meet the Millennium Development Goals. That is why the Chancellor has proposed an International Finance Facility (IFF) that would seek to double the amount of development aid from just over US$50 billion a year today to $100 billion per year in the years to 2015.

Market Testing

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the estimated level of saving to the Department is from the use of market testing in 2002–03.

Paul Boateng: Past use of market testing has led to the contracting-out of a variety of Treasury services. During 2002–03 the Treasury re-tendered a number of services, but did not conduct any new market testing.

Postal Services

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what representations the Government has made to the European Commission regarding the impact of the imposition of value added tax on postal services;
	(2)  what assessment the Government has made of the impact of the imposition of value added tax on postal services;
	(3)  what steps the Government are taking regarding the imposition of value added tax on commercial postal service providers.

John Healey: The European Commission has recently published proposals to amend the provisions of the Sixth VAT Directive concerning the VAT arrangements applicable to postal services. The proposals have yet to be tabled for discussion at Council, and the Government has therefore not formally responded to the Commission on them. However, the Government is opposed to VAT on stamps, and will make this clear in negotiations on the proposals. Amendments to the Sixth VAT Directive must be agreed unanimously by Member States.

Tax Credits (Solihull)

John Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will investigate the causes of the difficulties encountered by some Solihull constituents in (a) seeking working tax credit and child tax credit and (b) making telephone contact with the Inland Revenue; and if he will make a statement on the compatibility and mutual recognition of relevant departmental computer systems.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made in the House on 28 April 2003, Official Report, column 53.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Capita

Phil Willis: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development how many employees have been seconded from Capita to her Department since 1997; for how long they worked in the Department; and what positions they held.

Hilary Benn: There have been no secondments from Capita to the Department since 1997.

Malawi

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what discussions he has had with the government of Malawi regarding the treatment of AIDS patients in the Queen Elizabeth Teaching Hospital in Blantyre.

Hilary Benn: DFID's development programme in Malawi has a substantial focus on HIV/AIDS but Queen Elizabeth Hospital is not targeted specifically. £10 million is provided to support the provision of sexual and reproductive health services through a local non-governmental organisation (Banja la Mtsogolo) in which HIV/AIDS counselling for young people and other vulnerable groups is a key component. A further £3.5 million is planned to help improve effectiveness of the National AIDS Commission. £1.9 million has been allocated to improve DFID's response to HIV/AIDS in sectors other than health, and to strengthen the capacity of other donors to implement AIDS programmes.

Millennium Development Goals

Don Foster: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what arrangements have been made to ensure delivery of the Millennium Development Goals on water and sanitation in terms of (a) ministerial responsibility, (b) departmental structure and (c) budget allocation.

Hilary Benn: The Secretary of State is the Minister responsible for the delivery of all MDGs. I hold responsibility within the Department for the specific goals on water and sanitation.
	DFID supports an integrated approach to sanitation, water supply, and hygiene to improve health and combat poverty. Expenditure on specific water sector or related projects and programmes has remained roughly constant over the past three years; estimated at £82 million in 1999–2000, £91 million in 2000–01 and £87 million in 2001–02. However, DFID's budget allocation is managed on a country rather than sector basis; our recent departmental report 2003 provides this information.
	The work DFID does has regard to what other donors are doing, and to our comparative advantage. In the water sector we have developed a role focused on improving policy. The provision of direct budget support (£296 million in 2001–02) rather than funding projects has given us this leverage, particularly in Africa. A small proportion of the budget allocated through direct budget support may go directly to the water sector, but the main contribution of budget support to meeting the water/sanitation MDGs is through improvements in public sector capacity and governance. We continue to push for the inclusion of sanitation, water supply and hygiene in individual country Poverty Reduction Strategies Papers (PRSPs).
	DFID also provides funds, which may include spending on water, through a number of multilateral channels. DFID continues to work to ensure aid efficiency and for example, is currently engaged in the EU Water Initiative, which aims to improve the efficiency of existing financing mechanisms for water infrastructure through better donor co-ordination between member states.

Rwanda

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what representations the Department has made to the government of Rwanda regarding the ban on the Mouvement Democratique Republicain.

Hilary Benn: We are continuing to encourage the government of Rwanda to set out publicly how they plan to open up political space and ensure inclusive elections this year, and how they can reassure the international community of their commitment to due process and transparency in dealing with the dissolution of the MDR and actions against individuals.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Entry Clearance

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department intends to send the appeal papers to the Independent Appellate Authority in the case of Mr. N.A., ref KA417109, who has been refused entry clearance from HM High Commission in Islamabad.

Bill Rammell: I am withholding the information requested under exemption 5 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
	It is not our practice to disclose details of individual entry clearance cases in a public forum. However, I will write to the hon. Member with regard to this matter.

Peacekeeping

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funds have been paid from the United Nations to (a) his Department and (b) the Government in respect of peacekeeping duties carried out by UK armed forces operating under the auspices of that organisation in each of the past 10 years.

Bill Rammell: Her Majesty's Government is reimbursed at a set rate in respect of peacekeeping duties carried out by UK armed forces. These reimbursements are made to Her Majesty's Treasury.
	For 2002–03, we have, so far, received £2,674,367.30; the final quarter remains to be paid. We estimate this will be around £900,000.
	HMG received d£3,594,654.20 from the UN for financial year 2001–02.
	Figures for the eight-year period prior to 2001–02 are not held centrally. This could only be provided by the UK Mission to the UN, at disproportionate cost.

Convention on the Future of Europe

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on surrendering vetos over policy areas in the proposed European constitution.

Denis MacShane: More Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) is essential to push through our solutions to Europe-wide problems in key areas, such as immigration and asylum and to promote the completion of the single market.

Convention on the Future of Europe

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the main unresolved issues are in the Convention on the Future of Europe.

Denis MacShane: The Convention on the Future of Europe is due to present its conclusions to the European Council on 20 June. The Government will continue to work within the Convention to achieve the best deal for the UK. Final decisions will be taken only by Heads of State and Government by unanimity at the Inter-Governmental Conference.
	All aspects of the draft constitutional treaty continue to be debated in the Convention.

Convention on the Future of Europe

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who would settle a dispute over powers between the EU and the United Kingdom under the proposed draft constitution.

Denis MacShane: Article 230 of the Treaty establishing the European Community provides that the European Court of Justice shall review the legality of acts of the institutions. For this purpose, it has jurisdiction, inter alia, in actions brought by the member states on grounds of lack of competence. The draft constitutional treaty maintains a similar provision.

Convention on the Future of Europe

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the current draft of the EU constitution will require amendment to the European Communities Act 1972 if it is accepted by member states.

Denis MacShane: As has been the case with previous treaties amending the original treaty structure, any amending treaty or new constitutional treaty agreed upon by the member states in the next Intergovernmental Conference would have to be laid before Parliament, and any necessary amendments to the European Communities Act 1972 passed by Parliament, before it could be ratified.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people have died in the Congo in each of the last 10 years, broken down by gender; what percentage of the population this represented in each year; and what recent discussions he has had with the UN about the conflict.

Bill Rammell: Reliable information on the number of deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over the last 10 years is unavailable. But media reports have suggested that more than four million people may have died as a result of the current war. Most were civilians. The DRC's population is estimated at 52 million.
	We are in regular discussion with the UN about the conflict in the DRC. The UN Secretary General has asked the UK and others to contribute to an international rapid deployment force for Ituri (North East DRC). We think it is important to contribute to this force, to support the UN and the DRC peace process. The UK will, therefore, participate in the Interim Emergency Multinational Force (IEMF). We are in consultation with those involved about the most appropriate and effective contribution the UK can make.

Diplomatic Missions

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 16 May 2003, Official Report, column 497W, what information he has on the facilities provided by other diplomatic missions for people to get a message about their health and safety to relatives in the UK.

Mike O'Brien: When a British national gets into difficulties overseas, the nearest British Consulate or embassy will make every effort to inform the next of kin in the UK. In cases of serious accidents or deaths, we ask the police in the UK to deliver the news personally.
	We expect foreign nationals with relatives or friends in the UK to contact their own Consulate for assistance.

Enemy Documents (Seizure)

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what lessons for the seizure of enemy documents in future campaigns have been drawn from the seizure by unauthorised personnel of Iraqi Government documents.

Mike O'Brien: We are reviewing this and other lessons learned.

EU Enlargement

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what period after accession countries joining the European Union will be allowed derogations on matters within EU policy.

Denis MacShane: I will write to my hon. Friend shortly and place a copy in the Library of the House.

Euro

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he received the Treasury documents relating to the five economic tests and the 18 background studies; what discussions he has held with ministerial colleagues on the tests since receipt of the documents; when he expects to complete his analysis of the documents; and what representations (a) he and (b) departmental officials will make to other Departments before a decision is reached on the economic tests.

Denis MacShane: The Treasury's 18 supporting studies on EMU were sent to Cabinet Ministers on 16 May. My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Chancellor held meetings with Cabinet Members. There was an initial discussion at Cabinet on 22May which will be followed by a special Cabinet meeting on 5 June. The Chancellor will make a statement to the House of Commons on 9 June.

Indonesia

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the government of Indonesia concerning the use of Hawk fighter jets in Aceh.

Mike O'Brien: Following the outbreak of hostilities in Aceh, our Ambassador in Jakarta sought to reconfirm the assurances from the Indonesian Government that British military equipment would not be used in an offensive role. Subsequently we have been told that Hawk aircraft have not and will not be used for combat; including ground attack in Aceh.

Indonesia

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many members of the Indonesian armed forces have been trained by the United Kingdom since 1997; and at what cost.

Mike O'Brien: The United Kingdom has trained 27 officers from the Indonesian armed forces since 1997 at a cost of £317,693. A further 23 officers were awarded Chevening Scholarships since 1997 at a cost of £302,924.
	In addition, two officers and one civilian member of the Indonesian Ministry of Defence attended the regional 'Managing Defence in a Democracy' course held in Singapore in September 2002. The cost of this course was approximately £2,800 per student.

Indonesia

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what notification the Government received from the Indonesian Government of their intention to deploy (a) Hawk aircraft and (b) other equipment built in and exported from the UK, in Aceh;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of whether the activities of the Indonesian armed forces in Aceh are consistent with assurances he has received from the Indonesian authorities;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the Indonesian Government's adherence to its assurances that no British military equipment will be used in counter-insurgency operations in Indonesia;
	(4)  whether the Indonesian Government's assurances that equipment will not be used to infringe human rights in Aceh or elsewhere extend to equipment other than armoured personnel carriers.

Mike O'Brien: The British Government received notification from the Indonesian Government that they might deploy British-built military equipment to Aceh for casualty removal and logistics in August 2002. In light of this, fresh assurances were given by the Indonesians that British-built military equipment would not be used to violate human rights anywhere in Indonesia in September 2002. The Indonesians also said that the equipment would not be used offensively. These assurances cover all British-built military equipment.
	The Indonesian Government confirmed that British-supplied Hawk aircraft were used in Aceh on 19 May 2003, on the first day of renewed military action, but assured us that they were not used offensively. Nonetheless, I remain concerned that the use of the Hawk in Aceh may have been in breach of earlier assurances, and am actively seeking further assurance from the Indonesian Government about the future use of Hawk aircraft in Aceh. I will be raising the issue of the use of British-built equipment with the Indonesians on a visit to Indonesia this week. There have been no confirmed reports of other British-built military equipment being used in military action in Aceh. We continue to monitor the situation closely.

Intergovernmental Conference

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what status will be accorded to the accession states of the European Union at the forthcoming intergovernmental conference in terms of (a) negotiation rights and (b) voting rights; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: The UK fully supports the conclusions of the Copenhagen European Council, which state that "the new Member States will participate fully in the next Intergovernmental Conference". We understand this to mean they will have the same negotiating rights and voting rights as current member states.

Iraq

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the admission of UN human rights monitors throughout Iraq and the establishment of a UN commission of experts to advise on approaches to ensuring justice in Iraq.

Bill Rammell: The fall of Saddam Hussein's regime brought to an end a long period of violations of the Iraqi people's human rights. As requested in UN Security Council Resolution 1483, put forward by the UK, US and Spain and adopted on 22 May 2003, the UN Secretary-General has appointed a Special Representative whose responsibilities include the promotion of human rights. The UN, including the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, is examining how to take this forward, including whether to deploy UN human rights monitors. We aim to work closely with the Special Representative. In addition, working to support the people of Iraq in moving toward the establishment of a representative government based on the rule of law and affording equal rights and justice to all Iraqi citizens will be the best means to ensure that their human rights are protected.
	As for ensuring justice in Iraq, we are keen for the UN to play a role in the reform of the judicial system and, as appropriate, in transitional justice. It will be necessary to follow the wishes of the Iraqi people on this issue and, as far as this is possible, to have an Iraqi led process. We have sent a small team of experts to Iraq to assess the current capacity of the Iraqi judicial system in relation to transitional justice, to consult suitable Iraqi bodies as they are established and to make recommendations.

Iraq

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he has made to the request by the Director-General of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency on 19 May 2003 that IAEA inspectors be allowed back into Iraq.

Mike O'Brien: An announcement was made on 21 May 2003 that inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will be allowed to return to Iraq to resume their monitoring activities in relation to the IAEA'S nuclear safeguards agreement with Iraq. They will check to ensure the continued safety of Iraq's declared nuclear materials and facilities in accordance with Iraq's safeguards agreement with the agency.

Iraq

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Turkish Government on retaining the territorial integrity of Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed Turkey's policy towards Iraq with Abdullah Gül, the Turkish Foreign Minister, during bilateral talks in Brussels on 21 March 2003. He also raised the subject with Mr. Gül in a telephone conversation on 12 April 2003. In addition, we have frequently discussed Iraq with the Turkish Government at official level in the past few months. The Turkish Government have consistently affirmed their commitment to maintaining the territorial integrity of Iraq.

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what restrictions have been placed by the occupying powers in Iraq on exiles wishing to return to their country.

Mike O'Brien: The coalition has placed no formal restrictions on exiles wishing to return home to Iraq.
	UK Government travel advice currently advises British nationals against visiting Iraq. Iraqi nationals wishing to return to Iraq should be aware of the continued security risks of doing so and should register their interest with the International Organisation for Migration in London.
	Iraqis who have applied for asylum status in the UK may find that the credibility of their asylum application could be affected if they visit Iraq and then return to the UK.

Iraq

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of the United States concerning the representation of women on the interim administration for Iraq.

Mike O'Brien: Our Special Representative to Iraq, John Sawers, and his team in Baghdad are working closely with Ambassador Bremer and US officials in the Office for Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA) on the issue of engaging Iraqi women in the political and reconstruction process in Iraq. We have also seconded a gender expert from the Women and Equality Unit to the ORHA team. We believe having women well represented in any interim administration is a priority and are working towards this goal.

Iraq

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of Palestinian refugees in Iraq being evicted from their homes because they have no money to pay rent previously waived; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: We are aware of the problems faced by the Palestinians resident in Iraq generally. We are continuing to work through the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq on refugee issues and are liaising closely with humanitarian agencies in Baghdad, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Iraq

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the ethnic violence in Kirkuk.

Mike O'Brien: Coalition forces and the Office for Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA) are seeking to reduce ethnic tensions across northern Iraq. We remain in touch with Coalition forces on the ground, which have recently been reinforced to increase security throughout the city and beyond. We welcome the formation on 24 May of the Kirkuk interim technical council comprising representation from all ethnic communities, together with the selection of a Kurdish Mayor, Arab Deputy Mayor and provision for mayoral assistants from other ethnic groups on 28 May.

Iraq

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department made before the Gulf conflict of the importance of capturing Iraqi Government documents in relation to the discovery of Iraqi (i) weapons of mass destruction and (ii) links with terrorist groups.

Mike O'Brien: The UK Government recognise the importance of securing evidence of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programmes and links to terrorist organisations, both through the seizure of documents and through information obtained by interviewing Iraqi scientists and Government officials. We see this as a high priority, and the effort to uncover evidence will continue.

Iraq

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the (a) role and (b) activities of al-Jazeera in supporting the former regime in Iraq, following the seizure of Iraqi documents by the Iraqi National Congress.

Mike O'Brien: The coalition partners in Iraq have secured a large number of official Iraqi documents. We are working on the analysis of these documents. It will take some time to reach conclusions and there is no guarantee that it will be possible to publicise the results of such analysis.

Iraq

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason access to the Iraqi Foreign Ministry in Baghdad had not been sealed by coalition forces by 22 April.

Mike O'Brien: The instructions issued to both UK and US coalition forces were to attempt to secure any documents that might be in the possession of the Iraqi authorities. Following entry into Baghdad, the coalition forces on the ground had to set priorities, focusing in particular on stabilising the security situation and minimising loss of life.

Nadhmi Auchi

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he was informed of the international arrest warrant against Mr. Nadhmi Auchi.

Mike O'Brien: This is a matter for the Home Office.

Nigeria

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral answer of 6 May 2003, Official Report, column 528, on Nigeria, what response he has received to his latest representations to the Nigerian Government.

Bill Rammell: Nigeria had federal and presidential elections in April and May 2003. The new Government has not yet been formed, but we will raise our concerns as soon as it is practicable. Amina Lawal's next appeal should have been heard by the Katsina State Sharia Court of Appeal on 3 June 2003, but has now been postponed to 27 August 2003.

Nuclear Non-proliferation

Ann Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures the Government has taken to implement the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty 2000.

Mike O'Brien: The UK is a strong supporter of the 1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). We also support the 1995 Decisions and Resolution of the 1995 Review Conference on the implementation of the NPT, and the Final Document agreed at the 2000 NPT Review Conference. We are committed to all aspects of the NPT and have taken steps towards implementation of the Treaty, for which I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Blaenau Gwent (Llew Smith) on 12 May 2003, Official Report, column 85W.

Saudi Arabia

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he is taking (a) to protect UK citizens in Saudi Arabia and (b) to establish support and advice for families of those affected by the terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia.

Mike O'Brien: Both before and since the bombings in Riyadh on 12 May 2003, we have worked closely with the Saudi authorities on security measures to protect British nationals in Saudi Arabia. A team from the Metropolitan Police (MPS) has since travelled to Riyadh to provide advice and assistance to the Ambassador. Our staff in Saudi Arabia are in touch with the British community directly and through regular meetings with the warden network to pass on as quickly as possible relevant information and advice—including on security. Our travel advice is kept under constant review to make sure that it reflects the latest information available to us.
	Our Embassy in Riyadh has been in touch with those in Saudi Arabia affected by the attack. It has been reinforced by a Rapid Deployment Team, which is talking to those affected to assess what additional support we might usefully be able to provide.

Turkey (Kurdish Population)

Mr. Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Turkish authorities in respect of their undertaking to ensure that Kurds in Turkey gain full political and social rights, including the right to learn and study the Kurdish language, by 2004.

Denis MacShane: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary periodically discusses a range of issues with senior members of the Turkish Government, including progress in ensuring the rights of minorities in Turkey.
	Her Majesty's Government welcomes recent Turkish reforms which allow for the teaching in private schools and public broadcasting of minority languages, including Kurdish, but remains concerned that such provisions are limited in scope and that significant obstacles stand in the way of their effective implementation.

DEFENCE

Correspondence

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff have been employed in the Ministerial Correspondence Unit of the Department in each of the last two years.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence has employed seven staff in its Ministerial Correspondence Unit in each of the last two years. Three of these staff have other duties not directly related to processing correspondence—such as managing the Private Office budget, supporting Ministers during Defence debates in the House, and general administrative support to the Department's Parliamentary Branch.

Current Programme Status

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which current programmes undertaken by RO Defence for his Department are (a) subject to delay and are concurrently (b) undergoing a Ministry of Defence investment appraisal.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 3 June 2003
	There are currently two programmes involving Royal Ordnance Defence Ltd. (ROD) which are experiencing delays. These are the Extended Range Ordnance/Modular Charge System (ERO/MCS) programme which is currently under review and the programme to design, develop and supply improved ammunition for the 4.5" Mk 8 Gun, fitted to Royal Navy frigates and destroyers. Neither is currently the subject of a Ministry of Defence investment appraisal.
	One current programme that will involve an investment appraisal as part of the Initial Gate Business Case submission is the exploration of options for a more collaborative approach with industry for the equipment support of the AS90 self propelled artillery system. One option will be that of partnering with ROD. The Initial Gate submission is planned for October 2003, the programme is not subject to delay.

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

Rachel Squire: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the (a) housing, (b) career development and (c) personal development costs pertaining to each DSTL employee at Rosyth who is being required to relocate;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the relocation costs of moving Rosyth DSTL staff to Porton Down;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the cost of recruiting and training replacement staff for DSTL staff at Rosyth who are unable or unwilling to relocate to Porton Down;
	(4)  what the fixed limit is on the assured tenancy of DSTL at Rosyth.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 21 May 2003
	At present, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) staff are spread over 15 sites across the United Kingdom. Continuing with this level of dispersion will ultimately degrade DSTL's effectiveness and long-term viability. The split of the former Defence Evaluation and Research Agency has resulted in DSTL being left with many capabilities that are supported by small teams or individuals. If we are to preserve and develop these capabilities effectively then we need a degree of consolidation to exploit their synergies, achieve critical mass and sustain their technical excellence. We also know that, despite everything that information technology can do, there are enormous gains in communication and knowledge-sharing when people actually work together in the same or adjoining buildings. In addition, career development is much easier when people do not have to uproot themselves simply in order to work in a different technical area. Additionally, there are financial considerations. As a Government agency, DSTL is publicly accountable for how it uses taxpayers' assets and money. In anything but the short term the additional costs imposed by the current level of dispersion are considerable. These costs will inevitably divert funds from more productive uses in maintaining and developing facilities and delivering better quality science for the Ministry of Defence.
	To address these issues, DSTL intends to move its staff onto three core sites at Fort Halstead, Porton Down and Portsdown Main. This was announced in July 2002 and hon. Members whose constituencies were affected were written to at the time explaining this decision. The site rationalisation plan commenced in August 2002 and it is intended to be completed by late 2006. It will involve the relocation of approximately 1,600 staff during this timeframe. The moves will ultimately reduce the fragmentation of the science and technology base of DSTL, bringing together like capabilities and reducing overheads and duplication of support functions in the organisation. This will ensure that DSTL can sustain long-term capability whilst providing an improved career structure for staff. While there is a possible risk that relocation will have a short-term impact that could affect capability in some areas, any effects will be more than outweighed by the significant long-term advantages these changes will produce. The relocation of the four staff currently employed at DSTL Dunfermline is part of the DSTL site rationalisation plan.
	The investment appraisal conducted by DSTL to support the site rationalisation plan was independently reviewed and agreed by the MOD Senior Economic Adviser. This work considered both the costs of re-provision of facilities and staff transfer. Staff will be eligible for support under the DSTL relocation procedures and the specific application of the procedures will be discussed on an individual basis taking into account personal commitments. The costs associated with the housing of staff who intend to relocate to the core DSTL sites will depend on the personal circumstances of the individuals but the organisation estimates an average cost of £27,000.
	DSTL uses the planned goals and objectives of the laboratory to identify the career and personal development requirements for its staff. The career aspirations and personal development needs are obviously specific to individuals and determined by their own personal development plans and all staff in the organisation, regardless of their location, are given equal opportunity to undertake appropriate training and development to deliver the organisation's objectives. Costs for career and personal development are not determined on a per capita basis and depend on the individual's training and development needs. DSTL always looks to develop the talents and capabilities of its current staff and would look to existing staff to fill any vacancies created by the loss of DSTL Dunfermline staff from within the organisation. DSTL does not therefore envisage a significant increase in such costs attributable to their relocation plans. It currently has a relatively low annual turnover of staff and has an effective recruitment and training strategy, recruiting over 100 science graduates each year. Two of the four members of staff based at DSTL Dunfermline are within five years of normal retirement and succession plans and the associated costs to train staff to replace them are required regardless of any individual's intention to relocate.
	Finally, it has to be recognised that as a result of the split of DERA some moves are unavoidable. On those sites owned by QinetiQ, DSTL only has assured tenancy for a fixed period. Rather than embarking on a number of relocations as each lease expires that would place the organisation into a long-running series of moves, which would cause continuing disruption to staff and delay the benefits arising from rationalisation, it has been decided that a single plan that covers all sites should be adopted. The current lease at DSTL Dunfermline is for a period of five years, ending 12 August 2006. However the other members of their technical group, which is currently based in Farnborough, will be relocating to Porton Down in the final quarter of 2003 and the intention is to consolidate the technical team at Porton Down as soon as is practicable.

Departmental Advertising

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total expenditure on advertising by the Department was in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03; and what the level of planned expenditure is for (i) 2003–04 and (ii) 2004–05.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence's advertising and publicity expenditure in 2001–02 was published in the annual Departmental Performance Report, broken down into categories of RN, Army, RAF and civilian recruitment, PR, marketing and business support services, Chief of PR, sales promotion, scholarships and National Employers' Liaison Committee. Copies of this document are available in the Library of the House.
	The 2002–03 Departmental Performance Report is due to be published in the Autumn and will include information on advertising and publicity expenditure; this may be in a revised format due to the introduction of Resource Accounting and Budgeting. Final costs for 2002–03 are not yet available. However, advertising and publicity expenditure is estimated to be approximately 54 million, including recruitment publicity.
	Planned expenditure for 2003–04 is 54 million including recruitment publicity. Detailed plans for 2004–05 have not yet been agreed.

Discharged Personnel (Call-up)

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel discharged following a manning control point review have been called up for service in all operations; and how many are currently serving on operations.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 10 April 2003
	Eight service personnel who, having been discharged since 1997 under Queen's Regulations for the Army 1975 Paragraph 9.413 'Not required for a full Army Career', have subsequently been called-out for military service on operations. Six of these individuals are currently still serving.

Fred Nerac and Hussein Osman

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  whether the Royal Military Police will provide on the ground assistance in the search for the missing ITN crew members Fred Nerac and Hussein Osman;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the latest reports he has received on missing cameraman Fred Nerac and local translator Hussein Osman.

Lewis Moonie: Subject to the constraints of the security situation on the ground, British troops in southern Iraq, including members of the Royal Military Police (RMP), have been providing ITN investigators with whatever assistance they reasonably could in trying to establish what has happened to Fred Nerac and Hussein Osman.
	The Ministry of Defence's position has always been that the RMP would only undertake a formal investigation into the disappearance of the two men if they had sufficient grounds to suspect that a war crime might have been committed. Following new information that has recently come to light, however, the RMP Special Investigations Branch will now investigate the disappearance of Fred Nerac and Hussein Osman.

Fred Nerac and Hussein Osman

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what representations he has received from the United States regarding the disappearance of Mr. Nerac and Mr. Osman;
	(2)  if he will hold an investigation into the shooting incident during which Mr. Nerac and Mr. Osman disappeared; and what requests he has received to do so.

Lewis Moonie: Officials in the Ministry of Defence and British troops in southern Iraq have been in close contact with representatives of the United States concerning the disappearance of Mr. Nerac and Mr. Osman and, particularly, the original shooting incident in which Terry Lloyd was killed and the two men went missing.
	The US military are formally investigating this incident. They have requested our assistance and we have co-operated fully with them on this.

Iraq

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many targeted weapons of mass destruction sites have been inspected in Iraq by Coalition forces; and what has been found.

Geoff Hoon: holding answer 28 April 2003
	As at 20 May 2003, Coalition forces had initiated investigations into 99 sites within Iraq which may be connected to programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction. Investigations have been initiated into a further 53 sites identified since the conflict began.
	Such sites are only one potential form of evidence. Others forms of evidence could include samples of chemical or biological agents, delivery systems, documentation or interviews with relevant Iraqi personnel. Coalition forces have identified materials which may be related to Iraqi programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction, including vehicles which appear to match descriptions of mobile biological agent production facilities in the document "Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction" published on 24 September 2002, and as presented to the United Nations Security Council by the United States Secretary of State. Investigations continue. We expect gathering and collating evidence from these sites and from other sources to be a long and complex task.

Iraq

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many depleted uranium weapons have been dropped on Iraq since the start of recent hostilities by (a) value and (b) total weight by (i) UK and (ii) US forces.

Geoff Hoon: holding answer 28 April 2003
	A total weight of around 1.92 tonnes of depleted uranium ammunition has been fired in Iraq by United Kingdom forces since the start of recent hostilities. I am withholding information regarding these munitions in accordance with exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. Ordnance expended by US forces is a matter for the US authorities.

Iraq

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what correspondence he has received from Mr. Abed Hassan Hamoudi of Basra; and if he will place copies of (a) such correspondence and (b) his response in the Library.

Adam Ingram: Although Mr. Hamoudi has not written to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence directly, Ministers were made aware of a letter which Mr. Hamoudi sent to General Officer Commander 1 (UK) Division and were consulted on the terms of the reply. I am withholding copies of the correspondence under Exemption 12 of Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (privacy of the individual).

Iraq

Bill Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sorties were flown by Iraqi military (a) aircraft, (b) helicopters and (c) unmanned aerial vehicles during the recent conflict; how many were destroyed by Coalition forces; and how many are now in the possession of Coalition forces.

Adam Ingram: Since 19 March 2003, no sorties have been flown by Iraqi military aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicles, although a number of helicopter sorties were flown in support of operations. Approximately 100 aircraft and 40 helicopters were destroyed by coalition forces during Operation TELIC and coalition forces are currently in control of approximately 400 aircraft, 250 helicopters and a number of unmanned aerial vehicles that remain in Iraq.

Cadet Organisations

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial assistance his Department is providing in this financial year to the (a) Sea Cadet Association, (b) Air Training Corps, (c) Combined Cadet Force and (d) Army Cadets; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: For the financial year 2003–04, the Cadet Organisations will receive the following funding from the three Services:
	
		
			 Service £ million 
		
		
			 Sea Cadet Association (RN) 8.0 
			 Army Cadet Force (Army) 50.0 
			 Air Training Corps (RAF) 20.0 
			 Combined Cadet Force  
			 Royal Navy 1.5 
			 Army 10.0 
			 RAF 1.0 
			 Total combined Cadet Force 12.5

Ministerial Transport

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost of (a) ministerial cars and drivers and (b) taxis for his Department was in 2002.

Lewis Moonie: I refer the hon Member to the answer my hon Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Mr Alexander) gave on 20 May 2003, Official Report, column 663W.
	A contract for a taxi service is in place and expenditure against this contract for 2002 is £15,786. This figure excludes any amounts spent on taxi hire outside of this contract reclaimed by officials as travel and expenditure. That information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Ministry of Defence Commercial Policy Group

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the (a) members of the Ministry of Defence Commercial Policy Group, (b) organisations which have contracts to supply services to UK forces and (c) value of those contracts in each case.

Adam Ingram: A list of the members of the Ministry of Defence/Industry Commercial Policy Group is set out in the list. All the industry members attend the group as representatives of the trade associations indicated on the list and not as members of the organisations that employ them.
	In the Financial Year 2002–03 the employing organisations of the Commercial Policy Group's industry members were awarded a total of 525 contracts valued at £2.096 billion.
	I am withholding the values of contracts within the total under Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
	Commercial Policy Group
	List of members
	Industry Co-Chairman
	Mr. Guy Griffiths
	Chief Operating Officer
	MBDA
	Six Hills Way
	Stevenage
	Herts
	SG12DA
	Ministry of Defence Co-Chairman
	Mr. Stan Porter
	Director General Commercial
	MOD Abbey Wood
	Maple 2b 2219
	Stoke Gifford
	Bristol
	BS34 8JH
	Defence Manufacturers' Association
	Mr. Willy Hockin
	Director Commercial
	The Defence Manufacturers Association
	Malborough House
	Headley Road
	Grayshott
	Surrey
	GU26 6LG
	Mrs. Alison Partington
	Commercial Manager
	INSYS Ltd.
	Reddings Wood
	Ampthill
	Bedford
	MK45 2HD
	Defence Manufacturers' Association
	Mr. Alan Hayman
	Managing Director
	J&S Marine
	Pottington Business Park
	Barnstaple
	North Devon
	EX31 1LY
	Intellect*
	Mr. Neil Bennett
	Commercial Contracts Manager
	BT Global Services
	PPC2 North House
	Star Avenue
	Swindon
	Wilts, SN2 1BS
	Intellect*
	Ms Ruth McKie
	Cogent Defence & Security Networks Ltd.
	Meadows Road
	Queensway Meadows
	Newport
	NP19 4SS
	Confederation of British Industry
	Mr. David Scillitoe
	Chairman, CBI Defence Procurement Panel
	BAE Systems
	Grange Road
	Somerford
	Christchurch
	Dorset
	BH23 4JE
	* Formerly Federation of Electronics Industry and Computer Services and Software Association
	Society of British Aerospace Companies
	Mr. Peter Brown
	Director Sales Commercial
	Rolls Royce Plc
	P.O. Box 3
	Filton
	Bristol
	BS34 7QE
	Mr. Mark Farrar Group Commercial Executive Smiths Industries Aerospace Bishops Cleeve Cheltenham Glos GL52 4SF
	British Naval Equipment Association
	Mr. Richard Taylor Group Contracts Director Vosper Thornycroft (UK) Ltd. Victoria Road Woolston Southampton SO19 9RR
	Mr. Steve Butler Commercial Director Claverham Ltd. Bristol BS49 4NF
	Business Services Association
	Mr. David Plester Operations Director Babcock SG1 Services 7 Blenheim Court Beaufort Office Park Almondsbury Bristol BS32 4NE
	Mr. Toby Hirst PFI Projects Director Sodexho Defence St. Anne's House Louise Margaret Road Aldershot Hampshire GU11 2PP
	Other MOD members
	Mr. Charles Draper Director General Smart Acquisition MOD Abbey Wood Maple 2b 2213 Stoke Gifford Bristol BS34 8JH
	Mr. Steve Waddingham Commercial Services Group Group Leader MOD Abbey Wood Maple 2b 2227 Stoke Gifford Bristol BS34 8JH
	Mr. Mark Pedlingham Principal Director Commercial Defence Logistics Ministry of Defence Spur 7, Block E Endleigh Bath BA1 5AB
	Commodore Martin Alabaster Procurement Group Leader MOD Abbey Wood Larch 3 ?2305 Stoke Gifford Bristol BS34 8JH
	Ministry of Defence Co-Secretary
	Mr. Steve Land Commercial Services Group Ministry of Defence Abbey Wood Maple 2b, 2233 Bristol BS34 8JH
	Industry Co-Secretary
	Derek Marshall Defence Industries Secretariat Russell Square House 10–12 Russell Square London WC1B 5EE

Ministry of Defence Commercial Policy Group

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria are used by his Department when appointing commercial organisations as members of the Ministry of Defence Commercial Policy Group; and whether there are restrictions placed on foreign commercial organisations becoming members of this group.

Adam Ingram: Industry representation on the Commercial Policy Group (CPG) is co-ordinated by the Defence Industries Council (DIG) who seek to ensure membership representative of the United Kingdom defence industry.
	There are no restrictions placed on overseas commercial organisations becoming members of the CPG. However, they are not usually members of the trade associations represented on the CPG unless they have also established a UK based capability to supply goods and services to MOD.

Ministry of Defence Commercial Policy Group

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what sustainable development guidelines are issued to the Ministry of Defence Commercial Policy Group.

Adam Ingram: None. The aim of the Commercial Policy Group is to provide a forum for Ministry of Defence and Industry to consider the development of future policy issues raised as part of the implementation of Smart Acquisition. The Commercial Policy Group may become involved later if it becomes clear that new or commercial processes Defence Contract Conditions (DEFCONS) will be needed to deliver MOD's contributions to the sustainable development agenda.

Ministry of Defence Commercial Policy Group

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures are in place to ensure that members of the Ministry of Defence Commercial Policy Group do not gain an unfair advantage when tendering for contracts to supply goods and services to the Ministry of Defence.

Adam Ingram: The Commercial Policy Group (CPG) acts as a forum for Ministry of Defence and Industry to develop future commercial policy and encourage best practice.
	The CPG's Terms of Reference require that its work is reported to MOD, Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and Defence Industries Council (DIC). This ensures that all its stakeholders have full visibility of its activities. The policy guidelines produced by the CPG, as well as its Terms of Reference, are also placed in the public domain using the MOD Acquisition Management Website (AMS) which can be accessed via the internet at www.ams.mod.uk.
	The CPG plays no part in MOD's tendering processes or contract award decision making.

Nuclear Weapons

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his US counterparts about (a) their intention to repeal the 1993 legislation banning the research, development and production of nuclear weapons and (b) the statement at the second session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2003 Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty that the US was reducing reliance on nuclear weapons.

Lewis Moonie: We have regular contacts with the United States about matters relating to nuclear weapons. I am not aware of any substantive discussions on either of the two issues but the Ministry of Defence is aware of US Administration statements and views.

Phoenix

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Phoenix Air Vehicles were lost during Operation Telic; and how many have been lost since the Phoenix system entered service.

Adam Ingram: 23 Phoenix Unmanned Aerial Vehicles remain lost on Operation TELIC, which count towards a total of 29 vehicles that have not been recovered since the Phoenix entered service in May 1999.

Porton Down

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many procedures have been carried out on animals at Porton Down since 1997; and what breeds of animals were involved.

Lewis Moonie: The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Porton Down submits annual returns to the Home Office detailing the number of procedures undertaken which involve the use of animals as defined in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
	In the years 1997 to 2002 the annual returns to the Home Office, broken down by species, are detailed in the table.
	
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 Guinea pig 1,109 1,039 636 636 727 644 
			 Ferret 0 30 0 0 0 0 
			 Hamster 396 222 144 24 0 0 
			 Mouse 8,569 7,477 10,144 10,856 11,944 14,874 
			 Pig 85 96 84 106 23 88 
			 Rabbit 31 48 10 19 23 24 
			 Rat 717 1,999 410 350 125 268 
			 Goat 2 22 0 0 0 0 
			 Sheep 17 30 13 9 45 0 
			 Primate 30 128 60 34 68 42 
			 Total 10,956 11,091 11,501 11,985 12,955 15,940 
		
	
	More detailed information on the specific breeds used is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Propellants

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the Ministry of Defence's overseas propellant suppliers.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 3 June 2003
	Propellant, as a component of munitions, is procured through a Framework Partnering Agreement with RO Defence Ltd. (ROD), a British based subsidiary of BAE Systems. The selection of suppliers is a commercial matter for RO Defence and they currently utilise: Nitro Chemie AG (Germany) and Muiden Chemie (The Netherlands). Other sources of propellant used by manufacturers for Ministry of Defence contracts are, Nitro Chemie Wimmis (Switzerland), Nammo (Sweden) and General Dynamics (USA).

Propellants

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department plans to re-establish a UK-based propellant facility.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 3 June 2003
	The Ministry of Defence has no current plans to re-establish a United Kingdom-based propellant facility. This is consistent with the MOD's belief, which has been endorsed by the House of Commons Defence Select Committee and the National Audit Office, that there are no strategic or defence reasons to retain an indigenous propellant manufacturing capability. Propellant as a component of ammunition is currently procured from RO Defence Ltd. under the terms of a Framework Partnering Agreement. The sourcing of such material is a commercial matter for RO Defence.

RAF Church Fenton

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on contract negotiations at RAF Church Fenton; and when he expects the negotiations to end.

Lewis Moonie: The current Joint Elementary Flying Training School (JEFTS) contract which is held by Babcock HCS, is due to expire in July 2003. This includes some flying training at RAF Church Fenton.
	From July, the tasks under the current JEFTS contract will be met in two ways. The JEFTS flying at Barkston Heath, Cranwell and Middle Wallop will be re-brigaded under the title of the Defence EFT School, the supporting contractor again being Babcock HCS. The flying currently undertaken by JEFTS at RAF Church Fenton will be carried out under the Light Aircraft Flying Task contract, supported by Vosper Thorneycroft Aerospace, at University Air Squadron sites around the country, including the Yorkshire University Air Squadron site at RAF Church Fenton.
	The main contract negotiations have been completed, but an ongoing issue is the possible Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) liabilities in respect of the Babcock HCS employees at RAF Church Fenton. Due to the complexity of the issue, it is not possible to predict when these negotiations with both contractors will be complete.

Reserve Forces

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on health screening for reservists following their return from the Gulf to civilian life.

Lewis Moonie: As part of routine demobilization procedures, members of the reserve forces returning from any operation undergo a routine medical assessment prior to their release from full-time service. The assessment, which is carried out by medical staff, includes the completion of a health declaration by the individual, the listing of any exposures to environmental or industrial hazards, and a medical check including blood pressure measurement, urinalysis and audiometry. All personnel should be offered a consultation with a medical officer at the time of the assessment. Where medical concerns are identified that require further evaluation, medical staff will ensure that suitable arrangements are made. This may include passing information to the individual's civilian GP, having first obtained consent from the individual.
	I also refer the hon. Member to my Written Statement of 7 May 2003, Official Report, columns 34–36WS, announcing plans for research into the physical and psychological health of personnel who deployed to the Gulf and that those concerned about possible exposure to depleted uranium are entitled to a urine test. These arrangements apply to reservists as well as regular personnel. I also announced that reservists who deployed and have concerns about their health generally can be referred by their civilian GP to the Medical Assessment Programme which we established following the 1990–91 Gulf conflict.

Reserve Forces

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 21 May 2003, Official Report, column 786W, on reserve forces, what form the follow-up work with reservists will take.

Lewis Moonie: As part of the overall process of identifying lessons learned from all aspects of Operation TELIC, we will be interviewing many returning reservists to gauge their views of the mobilisation and demobilisation process. We will also be running a major survey of employers who have been affected by the call-out of reservists.

Royal Air Force (Training)

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of RAF Woodvale in the training of RAF recruits.

Lewis Moonie: RAF Woodvale is the home to Manchester and Salford University Air Squadron (MASUAS), Liverpool University Air Squadron (LUAS) and No. 10 Air Experience Flight (AEF). Both University Air Squadrons at RAF Woodvale train undergraduate student pilots according to the Elementary Flying Training syllabus, which, during a student's time at university, provides them with general handling, instrument flying, formation and navigation. Ex-UAS student pilots are then able to enter the RAF at a stage where they can be streamed and selected for fast jet, helicopter or multi-engine aircraft. The AEF provides air experience for air cadet members of the Air Training Corps and RAF sections of the College Cadet Force.
	With effect from July 2003, RAF Woodvale will also train up to 17 Direct Entrant pilots to their streaming point, since the RAF element of the Joint Elementary Flying School contract is to be absorbed into the contract that covers UAS flying. This will be done within existing contracted flying hours.
	The UASs also provide general Service training for potential officers of all branches of the RAF.

Royal Marines (Iraq)

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the scheduled return to the UK of Royal Marines following the end of the Gulf conflict.

Adam Ingram: The withdrawal of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines from the Gulf region was completed on 18 May, following an extremely successful operational tour. Royal Marine Commandos were among the first Coalition forces to enter Iraq, working with the United States Marines to secure the Al Faw peninsula, and in particular the key port of Umm Qasr. Following the completion of decisive combat operations, they were subsequently involved in stabilisation operations, and humanitarian tasks.

Service Manning Targets

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the baseline manpower overheads for manning targets in the (a) Navy, (b) Army and (c) RAF are; what the actual manpower overheads were in each service in 2002–03; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the trained manpower strength and trained requirement for each individual Service. Details for April 2002 and April 2003 are shown in the table:
	
		
			  Trained requirement Trained strength Shortfall 
		
		
			 April 2002
			 Naval Service 39,180 37,490 -1,690 
			 Army 106,970 100,420 -6,560 
			 RAF 49,990 49,200 -790 
			 April 2003
			 Naval Service 38,510 37,600 -910 
			 Army 106,980 102,120 -4,850 
			 RAF 49,640 48,900 -750 
		
	
	Note
	Due to roundings the totals may not always equal the sum of the parts.
	All three Services are working hard to address the shortfalls so that the targets set out in the current Public Service Agreements can be met.

Territorial Army

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the function of the Territorial Army following the present military conflict in the Gulf; what assessment he has made of the future needs and role for the Territorial Army; what assessment he has made of the future role for the Territorial Army unit in Chorley; and what assessment he has made of the future role of the Territorial Army barracks in Chorley .

Lewis Moonie: As recently announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 22 May 2003, Official Report, column 45–46WS, there is a continuing role for Reservists, including the Territorial Army (TA) in the Gulf and a requirement for a further 1,500 Reservists to support ongoing operations has now been confirmed. The TA will continue to support their regular counterparts on operations as envisaged by the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) and SDR New Chapter.
	No assessment has been made of the future role of the TA units in Chorley or the barracks itself. In accordance with SDR recommendations, however, a review of all TA sub-unit and detachment locations across the whole country is underway. It is too early to comment on the outcome of this review.

Territorial Army

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of (a) Territorial Army and (b) regular army personnel were sent to serve in Iraq.

Lewis Moonie: Approximately 24,000 Army personnel and 3,800 Territorial Army (TA) personnel were initially deployed in support of Operation TELIC in the Gulf. These figures represent approximately 24 per cent. and 10 per cent. of total trained Army and TA personnel respectively.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Domestic Violence

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost is of undertaking a pilot scheme in a police authority in respect of police acting in third party orders in cases of domestic violence.

Bob Ainsworth: The group dealing with domestic violence perpetrators within the police service will meet for the first time on 25 June 2003. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) hope to publish guidance relating to police perpetrators later in the summer.
	I welcome the work being led by the ACPO in relation to domestic violence perpetrators in the police service and other domestic violence matters. There has been a real and positive shift in police responses to domestic violence incidents over the past few years and making further improvements in the police handling on domestic violence cases will be an important element in our strategy to reduce domestic violence and protect victims. We will publish a consultation paper on that strategy shortly.

Antisocial Behaviour

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) anti-social behaviour orders and (b) curfew orders have been made in (i) the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency (ii) the Government Office North East region and (iii) England since the commencement of the scheme; how many have been breached in each area; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: The information is as follows:
	(a) From 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000 data on the number of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) issued were collected by police force area. From 1 June 2000 official statistics on the number of ASBOs issued are based on quarterly returns from Magistrates' Courts Committees (MCCs). From copies of the orders we have been able to identify local authority areas involved.
	Available information on the number of notifications received by the Home Office of ASBOs issued by area from 1 April 1999 to 30 November 2002 (latest available) is given in Table A.
	Available information relating to breaches of anti-social behaviour orders in England is also given in Table A but covers the period 1 June 2000 to 31 December 2001 only. The analysis covers only those breaches by persons issued with ASBOs during this period and notified to the Home Office.
	We are aware that the numbers of ASBOs made nationally have been consistently under reported in returns made by magistrates' courts and are considering how reporting can be improved.
	(b) Table B shows the number of Curfew Orders with or without electronic monitoring made and those breached in the Teesside and Langbaurgh East Petty Sessional areas (part of the former and all of the latter fall within the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency), the three police force areas that fall within the Government Office Region of North East England, and England as a whole. Figures are given for 1995 to 2001.
	
		Table A—The number of notifications, as reported to the Home Office, of ASBOs issued in England, from 1 April 1999 to 30 November 2002, by area and numbers breached
		
			  Number of persons issued with ASBOs Number of persons breaching ASBOs(4),(5) 
			 Area 1 April 1999 to31 May 2000(6) 1 June 2000 to31 December 2001 1 January 2002 to30 November 2002(7) Total 1 June 2000 to31 December 2001 
		
		
			  
			  
			 Cleveland MCC(8) 1 8 2 11 2 
			 of which LGAs(9)  
			 Middlesbrough Council (10)— 0 1 1 0 
			 Redcar and Cleveland Council (10)— 1 1 2 0 
			 GONE(11) region 9 31 19 59 11 
			 by MCC/police force area  
			 Cleveland 1 8 2 11 2 
			 Durham 0 13 8 21 9 
			 Northumbria 8 10 9 27 0 
			 England 104 421 246 771 122 
		
	
	(4) The only breaches counted are for those persons issued with ASBOs between 1 June 2000 and 31 December and notified to the Home Office.
	(5) Only counts breaches of orders once even if a person breached the same order on more than one occasion
	(6) Data available by police force area only
	(7) Latest available. Following implementation of the Police Reform Act (2 December 2002), data for December 2002 will be incorporated into the first quarter 2003 data
	(8) Magistrates' courts committee area in which the constituency of Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland is located
	(9) Unitary Authorities of which parts make up the Middlesbrough South and Cleveland East constituency
	(10) Not available
	(11) Government Office North East region
	
		Table B—Number of persons given curfew orders and numbers breaching orders, 1992–2001
		
			 Police Force Area 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Persons given curfew orders  
			 Cleveland — — — — — 4 31 
			 of which
			 Teesside PSA(12) . — — — — — 3 28 
			 Langbaurgh East PSA(12) — — — — — — 1 
			 
			 GONE(13) region — — — — 2 75 157 
			 Cleveland — — — — — 4 31 
			 Durham — — — — 1 29 26 
			 Northumbria — — — — 1 42 100 
			 
			 Total England 5 164 426 979 1,568 2,511 3,688 
			 
			  Persons breaching curfew orders
			 Cleveland — 1 — — — — 6 
			 of which
			 Teesside PSA(12) . — 1 — — — — 5 
			 Langbaurgh East PSA(12) — — — — — — 1 
			 
			 GONE(13) region 1 2 — 3 2 4 11 
			 Cleveland — 1 — — — — 6 
			 Durham — — — — 1 — — 
			 Northumbria 1 1 — 3 1 4 5 
			 
			 Total England 10 27 62 204 280 454 722 
		
	
	(12) The constituency of Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland covers the Petty Sessional Area of Langbaurgh East and part of the PSA of Teesside.
	(13) Government Office Region for North East England.
	Note:
	There are discrepancies in some areas between the number of orders given and number of breaches recorded, as reported to the Home Office, but it is not clear whether orders given have been under-recorded or whether breaches have been incorrectly classified.

Asylum Seekers

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many asylum seekers there were in (a) Hull and (b) the East Riding of Yorkshire in each month since 1997; how long each application took to process; and how many applications were (i) successful and (ii) rejected;
	(2)  how many asylum seekers housed in Hull and the East Riding have received financial support from the National Asylum Support Service; and what benefits were paid to asylum seekers prior to the introduction of the National Asylum Support Service in each quarter since 1997.

Beverley Hughes: The information is not available in the form requested.
	The availability of information on the location of asylum seekers in the UK is currently linked to the support the asylum seeker receives. Asylum seekers in the UK either receive support from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS), local authorities or the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or are supporting themselves.
	Information on outstanding asylum cases, initial decision outcomes and asylum case processing times relating to persons in particular areas of the UK is unavailable as are statistics regarding the location of asylum seekers not in receipt of support.
	NASS does not disperse asylum seekers to any areas in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The following table shows the number of asylum seekers (including dependants) accommodated by NASS in the Hull cluster area as at the end of each quarter since June 2000: 1
	
		
			 Date Number of asylum seekers (including dependants) supported in NASS accommodation in the Hull cluster area 
		
		
			 As at end June 2000 (15) 
			 As at end September 2000 380 
			 As at end December 2000 960 
			 As at end March 2001 1,015 
			 As at end June 2001 915 
			 As at end September 2001 1,000 
			 As at end December 2001 1,035 
			 As at end March 2002 1,035 
			 As at end June 2002 995 
			 As at end September 2002 995 
		
	
	(14) All figures have been rounded to the nearest five, figures between one and two are represented by a
	(15).
	Figures exclude cases where support has been ceased.
	Additionally, some asylum seekers receive subsistence only support from NASS or are disbenefited cases 2 . Statistics on the location of these cases are currently only available at regional level. The following table shows the total number of subsistence only and disbenefited cases (including dependants) which were supported in the Yorkshire & Humberside region (which includes the East Riding of Yorkshire and Hull) as at the end of each quarter since December 2000:
	
		
			 Date Number of asylum seekers (including dependants) receiving subsistence only support, or being supported as a disbenefited case, and staying in the Yorks & Humberside region 
		
		
			 As at end December 2000 85 
			 As at end March 2001 115 
			 As at end June 2001 140 
			 As at end September 2001 215 
			 As at end December 2001 310 
			 As at end March 2002 510 
			 As at end June 2002 600 
			 As at end September 2002 735 
		
	
	(16) Disbenefited cases are cases which were previously supported under the main UK. benefits system and have been moved onto NASS support. Some of these cases have remained in the original social services accommodation.
	From grant claims sent to the Home Office by local authorities, as at the end of September 2002, there were the following additional number of asylum seekers being supported by the local authorities in Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire:
	
		
			 Local Authority Number of singles supported as at end of Sep 2002 Number of families supported as at end of Sep 2002 
		
		
			 East Riding 5 0 
			 Hull 35 5 
		
	
	In previous years, information is only available on the number of weeks' support paid for by local authorities rather than the number of asylum seekers actually supported.
	Prior to the introduction of NASS, asylum applicants claiming asylum on arrival were eligible to receive urgent case payments under income support arrangements. Payments equated to 90 per cent. of income support rates.
	Asylum seekers claiming asylum in country were eligible to receive support from their local authority and payments were made to meet their essential living needs.
	Statistics on the number of asylum seekers supported by NASS in each region are available on the Home Office's Immigration and Asylum Statistics website. Detailed figures will next be published on 28 February 2003 in the bulletin covering quarter four of 2002:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Child Rescue Alert

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what discussions he has held with Sussex police about continuing to work with the Community Alerts;
	(2)  how many police officers in Sussex have registered with Child Rescue Alert;.
	(3)  what estimate was made of the number of likely subscribers to the Phase 2 text message service of Child Rescue Alert, piloted by Sussex police;
	(4)  how much money has been spent on publicising Child Rescue Alert by Sussex police.

Bob Ainsworth: Office officials have held discussions with both the Sussex Police and the Association of Chief Police Officers about various aspects of the Child Rescue pilot. The discussions have not addressed the arrangements between the force and organisations that have been contracted to help provide the service.
	I understand from the Chief Constable that every Sussex Police-owned mobile phone was registered at the beginning of the scheme, a total of 1,687 phones. There was also an internal publicity drive to encourage staff to register both private and family members' phones. This marketing drive also explored links with external community partners and consequently a substantial number of mobile phones owned by East Sussex County Council, Brighton and Hove Council and West Sussex County Council have been registered.
	I further understand that, on the basis that some 700,000 people in the county have mobile phones, the force estimated that approximately 300,000 people would register for the Phase two text message service. It conducted its largest ever leaflet distribution campaign, in conjunction with Neighbourhood Watch, which resulted in some 15,000 people registering initially. This number may since have increased.
	The Sussex Police estimate that they have spent approximately £19,000 on publicising the scheme between 25 September 2002 and 1 May 2003.

Cleveland Police

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the clear-up rate was for Cleveland police for (a) burglary of dwellings, (b) violence against the person, (c) vehicle crime, (d) robbery and (e) sexual offences in each year since 1996.

Bob Ainsworth: The requested information is given in the table.
	
		Clear-up/detection rates for Cleveland police -- Percentage
		
			  Burglary in a dwelling Violence against the person Vehicle crime Robbery Sexual offences 
		
		
			 1996(17) 18 70 13(20) 25 69 
			 1997(17) 17 67 14(20) 25 79 
			 1998–99(18) 11 67 9(21) 19 80 
			 1999–2000(19) 11 64 7(22) 19 84 
			 2000–01 12 67 7(22) 17 79 
			 2001–02 12 64 7(22) 18 82 
		
	
	(17) Crime statistics were recorded on a calendar year basis up to 1997 and on a financial year basis thereafter.
	(18) Percentage cleared up/detected using the expanded coverage and revised counting rules for recorded crime, which came into effect on 1 April 1998.
	(19) Revised guidance for recording detections was implemented on 1 April 1999.
	(20) This figure is based on the offences of aggravated vehicle taking, theft from a vehicle, and theft of a motor vehicle.
	(21) This figure is based on the offences included within 'note 4', plus vehicle interference/tampering, and criminal damage to a vehicle.
	(22) This figure is based on the offences within 'note 5', plus racially aggravated criminal damage to a vehicle.
	There was a change in counting rules for recorded crime on 1 April 1998, which would have the tendency to increase the number of offences counted. Numbers of offences for years before and after this date, and figures calculated from them, may therefore not be directly comparable. There was also a change in counting rules for detections on 1 April 1999. The new instructions provide more precise and rigorous criteria for recording a detection, with the underlying emphasis on the successful result of a police investigation. Numbers of detections before and after this date are therefore not directly comparable.

Drug-related Crime

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East (Dr. Kumar), 9 May 2003, Official Report, column 641W, if he will make a statement on the results of research carried out by the Home Office into the proportion of crimes that are drug-related.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 3 June 2003
	The Answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East (Dr. Kumar) on 19 May 2003, Official Report, column 641W, gives details of the percentage of recorded crime figures that are specifically drug offences (such as possession). Whilst recorded crime figures include statistics on these drugs offences, they do not record whether other crimes, such as burglary or theft, are related to an offender's drug misuse.
	However, the Home Office sponsored New English and Welsh Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (NEW-ADAM) research programme, which involved interviewing and drug testing those arrested by the police, provides an insight into the proportion of crimes that are drug related.
	Analysis of the data from the first eight sites in the survey, collected during 1999–2000, shows that 65 per cent. of arrestees tested positive for one or more illegal drug, with up to 29 per cent. testing positive for opiates (including heroin) and/or cocaine (including crack). Whilst users of both heroin and cocaine/crack represent just under one-quarter of all arrestees interviewed in NEW-ADAM, they were responsible for more than three-fifths of all the illegal income reported.

Speed Cameras

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines have been drawn up to regulate speed cameras used by partnership vehicles to Avon and Somerset.

Bob Ainsworth: All partnerships accepted into the Safety Camera scheme must comply with the rules of the scheme to qualify for payment of their costs from fixed penalty receipts.
	The rules state that all vehicles should be clearly marked as camera enforcement vehicles, and the camera operatives should wear fluorescent clothing and abide by all Health and Safety requirements.
	Enforcement should take place at accident hotspots, or at sites or routes with a history of speed related accidents. Camera warning and speed limit reminder signs must also be placed in advance of mobile speed enforcement taking place. Ideally, these should be placed at the beginning of a targeted route for mobile enforcement sites.

Terrestrial Trunked Radio System

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the health implications of the terrestrial trunked radio system; and what plans he has for an investigation into a health and safety study;
	(2)  what advice is given to local planning authorities about the distance that TETRA masts should be sited from residential properties; if he will list locations where TETRA masts are sited; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  if he will make a statement on the safety aspects of the TETRA communication system used by the police, and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: The advanced features and flexibility offered by the new digital radio communications service for the police will contribute significantly to officer and public safety. The service will provide high quality fully encrypted communications to prevent eavesdropping, and for the first time will allow officers to call for assistance in emergencies by the operation of a single key.
	Following the Stewart Report on mobile phones and health, we asked the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) to look at the health and safety aspects of the TETRA technology used by Airwave. Their report, prepared by the NRPB's independent Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation, was published in July 2001. It concluded that, "Although areas of uncertainty remain about the biological effects of low level Radio Frequency radiation in general, including modulated signals, current evidence suggests that it is unlikely that the special features of the signals from TETRA mobile terminals and repeaters pose a hazard to health".
	The report recommended further research to address remaining areas of uncertainty. We are taking this forward with a comprehensive programme of work, which has found no adverse health effects so far. As part of this programme, the Home Office has commissioned a national health monitoring study of Airwave police users. Regular updates are available on the Home Office website http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/docs/tetra.html.
	Advice to planning authorities about radio masts is contained in Planning Policy Guidance Note 8 issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) and is supported by the ODPM Code of Best Practice on Mobile Phone Network Development. No minimal distance from TETRA masts residential properties is recommended. The rule is that international guidelines on energy levels received from the mast should be met in areas accessible to the public. Independent checks of Airwave base stations have shown that these energy levels are hundreds of times less than the guidelines. As the service rolls out the location of TETRA masts within the Airwave service will be available on the "Sitefinder" database managed by the Radiocommunications Agency.

Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of the Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001 on recorded and actual vehicle crime; how many salvage operators have been registered under the Act; how many registrations have been rejected; and how many premises have been inspected by the police using their new powers.

Bob Ainsworth: It is too soon to make an assessment of the impact of the Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001 on vehicle crime. The provisions of the Act, and accompanying regulations, regulating the motor salvage industry took effect only on 21 October 2002; those to control the supply of number plates on 1 January and 1 March 2003; and those to implement the Vehicle Identity Check on 7 April 2003. The information sought about registrations of motor salvage operators and inspections of premises under the Act is not available centrally at present. We are in touch with the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Local Government Association about an appropriate monitoring regime.

Victim Support Berkshire

Jane Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support his Department provides to Victim Support Berkshire; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: The Home Office grant to Victim Support increased from £12.7 million in 1997–98 to £29.3 million in 2002–03, and has been further increased in the current year to £30 million.
	The allocation of the Home Office grant to local victim support schemes is the responsibility of the Victim Support Funding Panel, a sub-committee of the organisation's Board of Trustees. From October 2003, the allocation of funds will be based on a new funding formula which has been developed by the Victim Support National Office. This will enable funding allocations to be tied more closely to the workloads of local schemes.
	Victim Support advise that the allocation of Home Office grant to Victim Support Berkshire in 2003–04 is likely to be in the order of 246,000.

Visas

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visas without restriction were granted in each of the last six months for which figures are available.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 3 June 2003
	All visas have certain restrictions. Statistics on entry clearance applications granted worldwide in 2000, the latest available, are given in the table. Monthly information for this period is not available as monthly statistics for many posts were not collated centrally at the time. A requirement to produce statistics on a monthly basis for all posts was introduced in April 2002. Data for 2001 and 2002 will be published later this year.
	
		Entry clearance applications granted(23) worldwide, United Kingdom, 2000
		
			  Number of persons 
		
		
			 Granted for temporary purposes(24) 1,424,880 
			 Granted for settlement(25) 54,505 
		
	
	(23) Granted initially or on appeal.
	(24) Nationals of certain countries currently need a visa to enter the United Kingdom regardless of the purpose of their journey.
	(25) Includes applications for a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode.

Young Prisoners

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether youth offending teams have responsibility for young prisoners who are also unaccompanied asylum seekers.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 3 March 2003
	Youth offending teams are responsible for the supervision of all children and young persons under 18 serving custodial sentences.

Zimbabwe

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) discussions have taken place with Interpol and (b) representations he has received concerning an award by Interpol to the Commissioner of Police for Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 22 May 2003
	No representations have been received and no discussions have taken place. The Political and Security Committee of the EU met on 16 May 2003 where it was agreed that the EU Presidency would write on behalf of the council to the Secretary General of Interpol setting out the EU concerns and asking them to consider the moral and political implications of this appointment. The UK fully supports this move.

SCOTLAND

Civil Service (People with Disabilities)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in meeting targets for the proportion of people with disabilities in senior posts in the Department.

Helen Liddell: The Scotland Office, in conjunction with the Scottish Executive, has already undertaken a range of positive action measures to help meet targets of people with disabilities in senior posts in the Department. These include the increased use of open competitions and assessment centres to provide a wider pool of diverse applicants and the appointment of an outreach worker to increase numbers in our under-represented groups, including staff with disabilities. In addition, a varied programme of awareness raising initiatives is planned as part of the European Year of Disabled People, including seminars focusing on particular disabilities and a leaflet, issued to all staff, advising them of internal services and assistance available. Our annual disability self-declaration exercise will also take place later this month.

Departmental Report

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the cost was of the publication of the 2001 Departmental Report.

Helen Liddell: The cost to the Scotland Office of producing the 2001 Departmental Report was £3,160. Other printing and publication costs are met by The Stationery Office Ltd. and do not fall to Government.

Departmental Staff

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment she has made of regional variations in staff turnover in her Department.

Helen Liddell: No assessment of regional variations in staff turnover has been made for my Department.

Euro

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she received the Treasury documents relating to the five economic tests and the 18 background studies; what discussions she has held with ministerial colleagues on the tests since receipt of the documents; when she expects to complete her analysis of the documents; and what representations (a) she and (b) departmental officials will make to other Departments before a decision is reached on the economic tests.

Helen Liddell: The Treasury's 18 supporting studies on EMU were sent to Cabinet Ministers on 16 May 2003. My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Chancellor have held meetings with Cabinet Members. There was an initial discussion at Cabinet on 22 May 2003, which will be followed by a special Cabinet meeting on 5 June 2003. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor will make a statement to the House of Commons on 9 June 2003.

Honours

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many officials in her Department have received honours; and how many honours are held by her officials, broken down by category of honour.

Helen Liddell: The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. Since that date, one member of staff (now retired) was appointed as a CBE. One recently retired member of staff and one current member of staff hold honours awarded before the Department was established: one at OBE and one at MBE.

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps the Department has taken to publicise its Public Service Agreement targets; and at what cost to public funds.

Helen Liddell: My Department does not have a Public Service Agreement.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

BBC Charter

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her policy is regarding the future of the BBC Charter.

Tessa Jowell: The current BBC Charter will expire on 31 December 2006. We will announce our approach to the review of the Charter in due course. However, we have made clear that the review will involve a comprehensive appraisal of the BBC's role in the digital age; that it will include an extensive process of industry and public consultation and parliamentary debate; and that OFCOM will make a full contribution.

Cinemas

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the future of small independent cinemas.

Kim Howells: The Government are committed to ensuring that a wide variety of films is shown in cinemas across the UK. When it established the UK Film Council in April 2000 as the Government's leading strategic agency for film, one of its key objectives was to develop film culture by improving access to film.
	For this reason, the UK Film Council provides funding for independent regional cinema through its network of Regional Screen Agencies. Last year, £1.25 million was provided to support independent cinemas.
	In addition, the UK Film Council is currently finalising a cinema exhibition strategy to further support audiences and, where appropriate, cinema exhibitors. This strategy will be delivered using £18 million of Lottery funding, £15 million of which has been delegated to the Film Council from the Arts Council of England, and is aimed at ensuring that the widest range of UK audiences gain access to the broadest range of British and International cinema.
	The key components of the strategy are:
	a Cinema Exhibition Fund totalling £14 million for investment in a 'circuit' or network of specialised cinema screens, including an allocation for 'traditional' capital use such as refurbishment;
	a Digital Fund totalling £1 million for investment in non-theatrical exhibition, and a package of measures aimed at increasing the availability of soft-subtitled prints 1 for the deaf or hard of hearing and audio description facilities for the blind or visually impaired; and
	three UK-wide funds, each of £1 million per annum:
	a Cinema Education Fund;
	a Specialised Print and Advertising (P&A) Fund; and
	a UK Film Distribution Programme.
	Through the Film Council and the Cinema Exhibitors' Association, the Government are made aware of the issues and concerns facing independent cinemas in the UK.
	1 'Soft' subtitling, as opposed to 'hard' subtitling that appears automatically on the screen, is stored on computer disc, which can be projected onto the screen when required using new sub-titling technologies equipment (such as DTS and Dolby).

EU Committees

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many officials in the Department serve on EU committees or working parties.

Richard Caborn: A total of five DCMS officials serve on the following European Union working groups:
	Audio Visual Working Group
	Working Group on Cultural Statistics
	Working Group on Audiovisual Statistics
	Working Group on Tourism Statistics.
	In addition, two of these officials, plus five others, serve on the following European Union advisory and management committees:
	Cultural Affairs Committee
	Culture 2000 management committee
	Television Without Frontiers Directive (Article 23(A)) Contact Committee
	Tourism Advisory Committee
	Advisory Committee on Cultural Goods
	Media Plus management committee.
	Therefore, a total of 10 DCMS officials serve on European Union committees and working groups.

Freedom of Information Act

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the electronic document and electronic record management systems which have been procured by the public authorities listed in Parts I to V of Schedule 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for which she is responsible.

Kim Howells: The British Library, English Heritage and National Maritime Museum all have purchased Tower TRIM. Other non-departmental public bodies are looking at options, including the use of existing systems, for meeting the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Accommodation Grading

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  if she will make it her policy to cancel the review of accommodation grading if consumer research does not support it;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the success of the current harmonised scheme for accommodation grading;
	(3)  if she will place in the Library copies of the consumer research she has assessed in relation to her revised policy on accommodation grading systems;
	(4)  what plans she has to research consumer attitudes to accommodation grading schemes in the UK; and what amount, broken down by project, is budgeted for such research.

Kim Howells: Quality is the foundation of a successful and competitive tourism industry and must include a variety of good quality accommodation that meets visitor expectations, both in terms of facilities and service. We want to ensure that the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) schemes: meet the needs of and are easily understood by visitors; attract a very high proportion of accommodation providers; and encourage continuous improvement in standards. There has been no change of tourism policy in this respect from what was published in Tomorrow's Tourism (1999).
	We have not conducted a formal assessment of the accommodation schemes but are determined to increase both industry take up and consumer recognition of the schemes. However, recent research by the (former) ETC has shown that membership of a quality grading scheme brings benefits to participants in terms of higher occupancy levels: 13 per cent. difference in higher occupancy levels between those who are members of the national, harmonised grading scheme and those who do not participate.
	We receive regular informal updates on consumer (and industry) views in correspondence and during visits in this country and abroad. We are confident that any research by VisitBritain into consumer attitudes towards accommodation schemes or views about the nature and detail of the current or proposed schemes will be adequately funded. VisitBritain will be assessing the requirements relating to consumer research and industry consultation over the coming months once confirmation has been made regarding the direction of the proposed changes. A final budget relating to this work is expected to be available in the autumn along with the final report. The research will be robustly conducted, involving other relevant bodies as appropriate, and properly analysed. We will, of course, take into account consumer views, as well as industry views, before reaching any decisions about the best way forward—this is what was done prior to the launch of the schemes for serviced accommodation in England, when they were harmonised with those of the AA and RAC in 1999.

Accommodation Grading

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what weight she gave to the views of (a) domestic tourists and (b) international visitors when formulating her policy on accommodation grading schemes;
	(2)  who will chair the review of accommodation grading; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  what input other bodies will have into research conducted into consumer attitudes to accommodation grading schemes;
	(4)  what the terms of reference are for the review of accommodation grading schemes; when the review commenced; who has been invited to participate; and what timetable will be followed.

Kim Howells: Discussion with senior industry representatives over the last year and a half has affirmed their commitment to the huge importance of quality, including the principle that establishments only of acceptable quality should be marketed via publicly funded e-tourism channels and in local authority brochures.
	The first part of the review of the accommodation grading schemes is being led jointly by the three National Tourist Boards in England, Scotland and Wales, who have engaged Alan Britten (former chairman of the English Tourism Council) to lead the review group, consult widely and report his findings to this Department this autumn. The group will examine the differences that exist between the schemes for hotels and guest accommodation in each country, with its main aim being to reach a view on whether common schemes are feasible and would be more readily understood by consumers.
	Good progress on common Great Britain schemes has already been made in respect of quality assurance schemes for non-serviced accommodation, for instance self-catering, Hostels and Campus accommodation. The national Boards have agreed that research and consultation in relation to the self-catering scheme should commence during the summer of 2003. This part of the review will also include consideration of the effectiveness of the symbols used to indicate scheme membership and how we could reduce the proliferation of signs and logos that are currently displayed. The review will consider consumer and industry views of the value of the quality assurance schemes, the scheme's effectiveness and value for money of scheme membership. We also wish to look at how we can increase the levels of participation in the schemes, especially hotels and guest houses.
	The second part of the review relates to England only and is being led by VisitBritain. It will look at the management of the schemes, covering issues such as: assessment, administration, recruitment of businesses, and promotion to consumers. We expect a report to be ready early in 2004

Accommodation Grading

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what financial provision has been made to support the costs of further harmonisation of accommodation grading schemes, with particular reference to (a) property re-inspections and (b) production and distribution of new signage;
	(2)  what estimate she has made of (a) the impact on business and (b) the cost to public funds of further changes to the accommodation grading system.

Kim Howells: We are confident that any changes made to the current accommodation schemes, which will take three years to implement from the consumer perspective, will be cost-effective as well as increasing clarity and benefiting business. Any costs relating to inspections to any new standards will be minimal, as they will fit in with the established annual timetable.
	Replacement signage, if required, is in any case optional and should benefit business in view of the greater clarity we are aiming to achieve. VisitBritain has allocated £72,000 from within its annual allocation to take forward the two-part review referred to above—funding by the other National Tourist Boards is a matter for the devolved administrations.

Libraries

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many libraries have closed since 1997; what improvements have been made to libraries in this period; what internet and computer provisions have been made available at library sites; and if she will make a statement on her assessment of library services.

Richard Caborn: The number of libraries closed since 1997 is not held centrally. However, the number of Total Service Points open 10 hours or more per week is contained in column 18 of the annual Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy Public Library Statistics for each of those years, copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library.
	The Government has encouraged improvements in planning, accountability and performance by English public library services through the introduction of Annual Library Plans (ALPs) in 1998, now superseded by Position Statements, and Public Library Standards on 1 April 2001.
	All but fewer than 1 per cent. of English Public Libraries are now connected to the internet through the £100 million lottery funded People's Network programme which has enabled library authorities to improve their ICT infrastructure and staff skills and to create innovative digital content.
	In February we launched Framework for the Future which sets out the Government's 10 year vision aimed at encouraging public library services in England fit for the needs of 21st century users. The document cites many exciting and innovative examples of how modern public libraries are developing new ways of meeting the needs of the communities they serve. A copy of this document is available in the House Library and may also be found at: www.culture.gov.uk. Public library provision in Scotland is the responsibility of the Scottish Executive.

Licensing Bill

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many (a) clauses and (b) schedules were (i) fully debated, (ii) partly debated and (iii) not debated during the Committee Stage of the Licensing Bill.

Kim Howells: Of 198 clauses in the Licensing Bill as considered in Committee, 106 were debated in full. 88 were not debated. Of these, 51 were not debated because no amendments were tabled and the Committee agreed to the question that the clause stand part of the Bill without debate. Four clauses were partly debated. As a result of Sessional Order D (29 October 2002) and the Order of the Committee (1 and 3 April 2003), the opportunity for debate was lost for 37 clauses.
	Of eight schedules in the Licensing Bill as considered in Committee, five were debated in full. Three were not debated because no amendments were tabled and the Committee agreed to the question that the schedule be the nth schedule of the Bill without debate. No schedules were partly debated.

Olympic Games

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the effects of a successful London Olympic bid on the levels of sports lottery funding available for projects in the North East.

Richard Caborn: Preliminary assessments of the impact of Olympic Lottery games have been provided by Camelot, and reviewed by the National Lottery Commission. These estimates suggest that any negative impact on income to the existing good causes would be small—four per cent. for the remainder of the Camelot licence period, until 2009. It is possible that should additional funding be required the impact may rise to 11 per cent. between 2009–12. However, Olympic Lottery games have the potential to invigorate interest in the Lottery in general and in that way may benefit all the existing good causes.
	Decisions on lottery funding for specific projects in the North East and across the country will remain a matter for the distributing bodies, in the case of sport for Sport England.

Olympic Games

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the need for an Olympic size swimming pool for the North East of England; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: In December 2001 Sport England made an assessment of swimming pool provision in the North East using their Facilities Planning Model. The Model provides an assessment of the relationship between the level of supply of pools required to meet the estimated demand from the population in a given area in the peak period.
	Analysis of the results found that the current supply of swimming pools could generally meet the existing demand from residents.
	The Amateur Swimming Association published their facilities strategy in December 2002, and highlighted the strategic need for one 50m community pool in each of Sport England's nine regions. At present the North East does not have a 50m pool, but I understand there are two Lottery proposals currently being considered for such a facility by Sport England.

Sustainable Development

John Horam: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which United Kingdom commitments arising from the World Summit on Sustainable Development (a) have been incorporated into the Department's existing delivery plan for Service Delivery Agreements and (b) will be incorporated in its delivery plan for Service Delivery Agreements in advance of the 2004 Spending Review.

Kim Howells: This Department has not incorporated any United Kingdom commitments arising from the World Summit on Sustainable Development into its current delivery plans for their Service Delivery Agreements, and does not foresee including any commitments in future delivery plans for Service Delivery Agreements.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Ms Janet Hughes

David Lidington: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Administrative Court Office issued the writ of fiat facias that was sealed on 5 November 2002 in the case of Ms Janet Hughes.

Yvette Cooper: The writ was issued by the Administrative Court Office on 5 November 2002 on the application of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Green Belt

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which cities have green belts; how large they were in 1997; what area they cover now; and what plans he has to enlarge green belt land.

Tony McNulty: In 1997, the area covered by the 14 green belts in England was:
	
		
			  Hectares 
		
		
			 Tyne and Wear 53,000 
			 York 3 5,400 
			 South and West Yorkshire 251,300 
			 North West 249,500 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 44,100 
			 Nottingham and Derby 62,000 
			 Burton and Swadlincote 700 
			 West Midlands 229,800 
			 Cambridge 26,700 
			 Gloucester and Cheltenham 7,000 
			 Oxford 35,000 
			 London 514,300 
			 Avon 68,400 
			 SW Hampshire and SE Dorset 82,300 
			 Total 1,649,500 
		
	
	The Government remains committed to the protection of green belts. Since 1997, over 30,000 hectares has been added to the green belt. Our objective is to continue to maintain or increase the area of green belt land in each English region. The general extent of green belt will continue to be a matter for Regional Planning Guidance, with local planning authorities setting the precise boundaries.

Asylum Seekers

David Davis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many asylum seekers were housed by the local authority in (a) the East Riding of Yorkshire and (b) Hull in each month since 1997.

Beverley Hughes: I have been asked to reply.
	The information is not available in the form requested.
	The availability of information on the location of asylum seekers in the UK is currently linked to the support the asylum seeker receives. Asylum seekers in the UK either receive support from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS), local authorities or the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or are supporting themselves.
	Information on outstanding asylum cases, initial decision outcomes and asylum case processing times relating to persons in particular areas of the UK is unavailable as are statistics regarding the location of asylum seekers not in receipt of support.
	NASS does not disperse asylum seekers to any areas in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The following table shows the number of asylum seekers (including dependants) accommodated by NASS in the Hull cluster area as at the end of each quarter since June 2000: 1
	
		
			 Date Number of asylum seekers (including dependants) supported in NASS accommodation in the Hull cluster area 
		
		
			 As at end June 2000 (27) 
			 As at end September 2000 380 
			 As at end December 2000 960 
			 As at end March 2001 1,015 
			 As at end June 2001 915 
			 As at end September 2001 1,000 
			 As at end December 2001 1,035 
			 As at end March 2002 1,035 
			 As at end June 2002 995 
			 As at end September 2002 995 
		
	
	(26) All figures have been rounded to the nearest five, figures between one and two are represented by a
	(27).
	Figures exclude cases where support has been ceased.
	Additionally, some asylum seekers receive subsistence only support from NASS or are disbenefited cases
	(28). Statistics on the location of these cases are currently only available at regional level. The following table shows the total number of subsistence only and disbenefited cases (including dependants) which were supported in the Yorkshire & Humberside region (which includes the East Riding of Yorkshire and Hull) as at the end of each quarter since December 2000:
	
		
			 Date Number of asylum seekers (including dependants) receiving subsistence only support, or being supported as a disbenefited case, and staying in the Yorks and Humberside region 
		
		
			 As at end December 2000 85 
			 As at end March 2001 115 
			 As at end June 2001 140 
			 As at end September 2001 215 
			 As at end December 2001 310 
			 As at end March 2002 510 
			 As at end June 2002 600 
			 As at end September 2002 735 
		
	
	(29) Disbenefited cases are cases which were previously supported under the main UK. benefits system and have been moved onto NASS support. Some of these cases have remained in the original social services accommodation.
	From grant claims sent to the Home Office by local authorities, as at the end of September 2002, there were the following additional number of asylum seekers being supported by the local authorities in Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire.
	
		
			 Local Authority Number of singles supported as at end of Sep 2002 Number of families supported as at end of Sep 2002 
		
		
			 East Riding 5 0 
			 Hull 35 5 
		
	
	In previous years, information is only available on the number of weeks' support paid for by local authorities rather than the number of asylum seekers actually supported.
	Prior to the introduction of NASS, asylum applicants claiming asylum on arrival were eligible to receive urgent case payments under income support arrangements. Payments equated to 90 per cent. of income support rates.
	Asylum seekers claiming asylum in country were eligible to receive support from their local authority and payments were made to meet their essential living needs.
	Statistics on the number of asylum seekers supported by NASS in each region are available on the Home Office's Immigration and Asylum Statistics website. Detailed figures will next be published on 28 February 2003 in the bulletin covering quarter four of 2002:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Audit Commission

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many mobile phones or pagers owned by the Audit Commission have been lost by its staff since 1997.

Christopher Leslie: Information on the numbers of Audit Commission-owned mobile phones and pagers which have been lost or stolen is not available prior to 2001–02; since then the Commission has maintained a register to record all lost items, and no mobile phones or pagers have yet been recorded as lost.

Audit Commission

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many times Audit Commission staff have travelled abroad at public expense since 1997; what countries they visited; and what the total cost of each visit was.

Christopher Leslie: Information on the number of visits abroad by Audit Commission staff and the cost of each visit is not collected separately. Foreign travel is seldom undertaken by Commission staff. When it is, it is only for specific Audit Commission business purposes. Most overseas travel is undertaken at the request and at the expense of host organisations who are keen for the Commission to share its knowledge and experience, mainly through conferences and symposiums.

Award Schemes

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the award schemes in (a) 2001 and (b) 2002 promoted by the Department; what their scope was; when the relevant participating organisations are scheduled to be sent results; and whether other parties will be given notification of the results at the same time.

Christopher Leslie: pursuant to his answer, 17 March 2003, Official Report, c. 607W
	The Neighbourhood Warden Achievement Awards has been running since 2001. The awards cover 10 categories and are open to all Neighbourhood Wardens. The awards are launched in May/June and applicants have until the beginning of September to send in their nominations. The judging panel is comprised of representatives from the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit and the Government Offices. All applicants are notified in writing in October. The winners are presented with a trophy and £500 to spend on their neighbourhood warden schemes at the annual Neighbourhood Wardens Conference in November.

Bed and Breakfast Accommodation

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of (a) households and (b) households with children are living in bed and breakfast and similar temporary accommodation in (i) England and (ii) each region.

Barbara Roche: Latest information reported on the number of homeless households being accommodated by local authorities in bed and breakfast hotels, including annexes where main facilities are shared is shown in the following table. These are expressed as a rate per thousand of all households as identified in the 2001 Census.
	
		Homeless households housed by local authorities in Bed and Breakfast accommodation (including shared facility annexes)as at 31 December 2002
		
			  All households  Households with dependent children 
			  Total (in April 2001) Homeless in bed and breakfast Rate per thousand Total (in April 2001) Homeless in bed and breakfast(30) Rate per thousand 
		
		
			  
			  
			 North East 1,066,000 90 0.08 318,000 20 0.06 
			 North West 2,813,000 70 0.02 856,000 20 0.02 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 2,065,000 410 0.20 618,000 100 0.16 
			 East Midlands 1,732,000 190 0.11 514,000 100 0.19 
			 West Midlands 2,154,000 80 0.04 662,000 40 0.06 
			 East 2,232,000 750 0.34 654,000 320 0.49 
			 London(31) 3,016,000 8,140 2.70 873,000 3,950 4.52 
			 South East(31) 3,287,000 1,340 0.41 960,000 560 0.58 
			 South West(31) 2,086,000 1,550 0.74 570,000 640 1.12 
			 England 20,451,000 12,620 0.62 6,023,000 5,740 0.95 
		
	
	(30) The count of homeless households also includes those with an expectant mother, but no dependent children.
	(31) As figures for homeless households in B&B have been updated to reflect late returns and revisions, they differ very slightly from those published in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister 's Statistical Release (Supplementary Tables) of 13 March 2003.
	Source:
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister PIE housing activity return (quarterly); 2001 Census

Departmental Invoices

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of undisputed invoices were paid in 30 days by (a) the Audit Commission and (b) the average local authority in England in the last year for which figures are available.

Christopher Leslie: 83 per cent of the undisputed bills received by the Audit Commission in 2001–02 were paid within 30 days. For 2001–02 the average percentage of invoices for commercial goods and services that were paid by English local authorities within mutually agreed terms or, if such terms did not exist, within 30 days of such invoices being received by the authority, was 88 per cent.

E-government

Brian Cotter: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list by project the consultancies (a) his Department and (b) its non-departmental public bodies have used on e-government projects since 1st January 2001.

Christopher Leslie: Since 1 January 2001 the following consultancies have been used to provide advice on e-government to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister:
	
		
			 Business Area Project Consultancy Service 
		
		
			 Neighbourhood Renewal Renewal net PA Consulting Project development 
			 Housing and Employment Mobility Service HEMSHEMS Capita Business ServicesBird and Bird Feasibility study and business caseLegal advice 
			 Local Authority Housing GASP3 HEDRA Project management 
			  GASP3 Methods Applications Quality assessment 
			 Local e-Government 
			  e-voting pilots Actica Quality assessment 2002 and 2003 
			   OGC Procurement support 
			   Bird and Bird Legal advice 
			   QinetiQ Quality assessment 2003 
			   Echelon Quality assessment 2003 
			   CESG Security standards development 
			   Scope Accessibility standards development 
			  Pathfinder projects Vantagepoint Project dissemination 
			  Implementing e-Government (IEG) statement process Public sector strategies Process development and assessment 
			 Planning 
			  Planning Portal HEDRA Strategic direction 
			   Opta Marketing and business development 
			   Cap Gemini Ernst and Young XML schema development 
			   QI Consultants Technical design advice 
			   Vega Project management 
			   Airtight Technical assurance 
			   Usability Company Usability testing programme development 
			   Buffalo Design and marketing advice 
			   Media Lounge Data management advice 
			   Proactive Plus Market research advice and services 
			   Design @ Large Design and printing advice 
			   Brian Fowler Consulting Team building and development 
			  Planning casework HEDRA Strategic direction 
			   Ringwood software Records and document management 
			   Mott MacDonald Business continuity planning 
			   Charlton Communications Design and marketing advice 
			   National Computer Centre IT systems security 
			   Paston Consultancy Programme and project quality assurance 
			 Supporting People 
			   SPINTLs System development 
			   TDAPM Support system development 
		
	
	For the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Executive Agencies, the details are as follows:
	
		
			 Business Area/Project Consultancy Service 
		
		
			 Fire Service College MDC e-training and development pilot modules 
			 The Rent Service 
			 "Fair Rent" applications Parity Functional specification development 
			 Market Rental evidence Parity Functional specification development

Staff Profiles

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of (a) the Audit Commission staff, (b) local authority staff in England and (c) the economically active population in England (i) are from ethnic minorities and (ii) people with disabilities.

Christopher Leslie: The information requested is in the following table.
	
		
			  Percentage from ethnic minority backgrounds Percentage with disabilities 
		
		
			 Audit Commission staff (2001/02) 7.7 3.0 
			 Local authority staff (average figures from best value performance indicators 2001/02) 3.2 2.4 
			 Economically active population in England (figures from February 2003 Quarterly Labour Force Survey) 7.8 13.2

Official Residences

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on how many occasions his official residences have been used for (a) charitable and (b) other fund-raising events since May 1997; what charges were made for such events; and what was made of (i) catering and (ii) other facilities provided by the residences.

Christopher Leslie: My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has held no such events at his official residences.

Official Residences

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what rules govern the use of his official residences for non-official purposes.

Christopher Leslie: The rules governing the use of Ministers' official residences are set out in the Ministerial Code of Conduct.

Overseas Travel

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much his Department, his Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on overseas travel, overseas accommodation and other associated expenses in each year since 1997.

Christopher Leslie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Paisley, South (Mr. Alexander) to the hon. Member for Yeovil on 22 January 2003, Official Report, column 334W. Figures for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Retirements

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) early retirements and (b) ill-health retirements there were as a percentage of the total workforce in (i) the Audit Commission and (ii) the average local authority in England in the last year for which figures are available.

Christopher Leslie: During the year to 31 October 2002 (the end of the Audit Commission's last complete financial year), the percentage of Commission staff who retired early was 0.1 per cent. of staff employed. There were no retirements on the grounds of ill-health. Between 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2002 the average percentages of staff of English local authorities retiring early and because of ill-health were 0.7 per cent. and 0.5 per cent. respectively.

Senior Management (Women)

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of senior management posts are filled by women in (a) the Audit Commission and (b) the average local authority in England.

Christopher Leslie: Of the 125 (5 per cent.) most highly paid posts within the Audit Commission in 2001–02, 27.2 per cent. were filled by female members of staff. The average percentage of the posts in the top three management tiers of English local authorities in 2001–02 which were filled by women was 24 per cent.

PRIME MINISTER

Iraq

Paul Flynn: To ask the Prime Minister what evidence he has evaluated that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction in (a) 2002 and (b) 2003 which represented a present threat to Britain; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave at Prime Minister's Questions on 4 June 2003, Official Report, columns 146–56.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Term-time Working

John Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether term-time workers in education are deemed unemployed and able to claim jobseeker's allowance during unpaid holidays, for the purposes of calculation of their hourly rate.

Malcolm Wicks: Jobseeker's Allowance is paid to support people who are available for and actively seeking employment and who are not engaged in remunerative work of 16 hours or more a week. For people who have regular breaks in their employment, like term-time workers, whether or not they are engaged in remunerative work depends on the average number of paid hours that they work each week. The average is calculated over the whole cycle of their work—which for term-time workers is the full year, including both terms and holidays. If this average is under 16 hours a week, term-time workers may be entitled to Jobseeker's Allowance, provided they meet the other conditions for entitlement.

Term-time Working

John Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress has been made with the review of term-time working; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: Our view is that the most appropriate form of help for low-paid term-time workers is through in-work support. The introduction of the Working Tax Credit in April has improved and extended the provision of in-work support, and there are specific provisions to ensure that term-time workers1 pattern of work is taken into account for the Working Tax Credit.

Adult Education

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people gained a first Level 2 qualification under Work Based Learning for Adults in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many people entered Work-Based Learning for Adults without a first Level 2 qualification in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Brown: The information requested is not available. However, a Training and Enterprise Council survey of leavers showed that, prior to April 2001, around 47 per cent. of people who responded gained a full or part qualification.

Benefit Fraud

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what system is in place for making decisions as to whether allegations of benefit fraud should be investigated; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: All allegations of benefit fraud, from whatever source, are sent to Referral Managers located in each regional Operational Intelligence Unit. An unbiased risk scoring system is applied for prioritising referrals made to the Department's investigators. Cases that are not investigated as potential benefit fraud are referred to other staff to consider whether other, non-investigative, interventions are required.

Benefits Sanctions

Harry Barnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy that anyone facing a benefits sanction for breach of labour market conditions or the New Deal rule will initially be sent a warning letter giving contact details for local advice agencies.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 19 May 2003
	Before a sanction is imposed, a Jobseeker's Allowance recipient is notified that a doubt has arisen on their claim. They are also asked if they wish to make a statement giving the grounds for their actions which caused the doubt to be raised. We have no plans to change these arrangements but keep them under review.

Child Support

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in how many cases assessments for child support have been suspended because the absent partner is habitually resident in another EU country; in how many of such cases the absent partner retains a material connection with the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Mr. Doug Smith to Mr. Boswell, dated 3 June 2003
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You ask in how many cases assessments for child support have been suspended because the absent partner is habitually resident in another EU country; in how many of such cases the absent partner retains a material connection with the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
	I do not have the information to answer this fully. I do however have some relevant information in relation to non-resident parents whose cases were suspended as they were living abroad. As at 31st March there were 480 cases suspended. I am unable to determine how many of those cases retained a material connection with the United Kingdom, as we do not collect this information.

Identity Fraud

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many national insurance accounts with false identities have been monitored by the Department in each of the last 10 years; and of those, how many cases were referred from the national insurance recording system.

Malcolm Wicks: The National Identity Fraud Unit (NIFU) flags on the Departmental Central Index and the National Insurance Recording System all accounts where it can be proven that the application for a National Insurance Number was made using false identity documentation.
	The total number of false identity flags that are held on Departmental records to date is 1,138. Figures cannot be broken down specifically for each year.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average processing time is of a new claim for jobseeker's allowance between first contact and payment in each (a) jobcentre area and (b) employment region.

Malcolm Wicks: The average national processing time for a new claim to Jobseeker's Allowance is 10.14 days against a target of 12 days. Information on the average processing time by District and Region has been placed in the Library.

Pension Service

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many face-to-face meetings were requested by pensioners in Perth constituency in their dealings with the Pension Service in Dundee in each year since 1997; how many requests were granted; how many have taken place at the home of the pensioner; and what record is kept of such requests;
	(2)  how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time staff are employed at the Dundee Pension Centre, broken down (i) by (A) managerial and (B) non-managerial posts and (ii) by civil service grades;
	(3)  on what occasions since November 2002 staffing levels in Dundee Pension Centre have been increased to cover busy periods and by what amount;
	(4)  what the criteria employed by the Pension Centre based in Dundee are when referring pensioners to the Pension Service based in Newcastle; and in what percentage of cases such a referral has been made since November 2002.

Maria Eagle: The matters raised are the responsibility of Alexis Cleveland, chief executive of The Pension Service. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from C. MacKinnon to Annabelle Ewing, dated 3 June 2003
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked Alexis Cleveland to respond to the following parliamentary questions relating to Dundee Pension Centre. Due to annual leave I am replying on her behalf.
	1. How many face-to-face meetings were requested by pensioners in Perth constituency in their dealings with the pension service in Dundee in each year since 1997; how many requests were granted; how many have taken place at the home of the pensioner; and what record is kept of such requests.
	2. How many (a) full-time and (b) part-time staff are employed at the Dundee Pension Centre broken down (i) by (A) managerial and (B) non-managerial posts and (ii) by civil service grades.
	3. On what occasions since November 2002 have staffing levels in Dundee Pension Centre been increased to cover busy periods and by what amount.
	4. What the criteria employed by the Pension Centre based in Dundee are when referring pensioners and the pension service based in Newcastle; and in what percentage of cases has such a referral been made since November 2002.
	I am unable to answer fully all of these questions as we either do not gather the data or do not retain it over lengthy time periods. I have provided answers where possible and where not have explained the context or reason.
	The Pension Service was launched in April 2002 and began moving work to Dundee Pension Centre on 20 April 2002.
	The Dundee Pension Centre does not keep records of the number of face-to-face meetings specifically requested by pensioners. General records of referrals for visit are kept for 3 months and then destroyed but it is not possible to distinguish from these whether the visit was requested at the instigation of the customer, or by us.
	There has been a staged programme of recruitment at Dundee Pension Centre in line with the movement of workloads from exporting sites. I have set out the information requested on staffing in the annex attached.
	Between February and October 2002, there were 432 staff recruited, with an additional 65 new staff recruited between April and May 2003. This additional recruitment is to support anticipated additional work to deliver Pension Credit.
	The Dundee Pension Centre processes all claims for Retirement Pension from customers living in Perth Constituency, amongst others. Where a customer wishes their Retirement Pension to be paid by direct payment into their bank account, their account is maintained by our centre in Newcastle. Information is not available about the number of cases dealt with by Dundee Pension Centre that have requested direct payment of Retirement Pension. Nationally, fifty per cent of pensioners currently have their benefit paid direct into a bank account.
	I am sorry that I have been unable to answer all your questions fully but hope that what I have been able to provide assists you.
	
		Dundee Pension Centre Staffing Levels—Managerial
		
			 Substantive Grade Status Total 
		
		
			 Unified Grade 6 Full time 1 
			 Senior Executive Officer Full time 3 
			 Higher Executive Officer (HEO) Full time 10 
			 Executive Officer (EO) Full time 70 
			 EO Full time/part year 1 
			 Total full-time managerial staff  85 
			 HEO Part time 1 
			 EO Part time 6 
			 EO Part time/part year 3 
			 Total part-time managerial staff  10 
			
			 Total managerial staff  95 
		
	
	
		Dundee Pension Centre Staffing Levels—Non-managerial
		
			 Substantive grade Status Total 
		
		
			 Adjudication Officer (AO) Full time 366 
			 Administrative Assistant (AA) Full time 27 
			 AA Casual Full time 40 
			 Total full-time non-managerial staff  433 
			 AO Part time 37 
			 AO Part time/part year 3 
			 Total part-time non-managerial staff  40 
			
			 Total non-managerial staff  473

Pensions Appeals

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cases at Pensions Appeal Tribunal by wives claiming an increased state pension because their husband has reached 65 have (a) failed and (b) succeeded in each year since 1997; and in how many cases succeeding at Tribunal payments were not fully backdated.

Maria Eagle: This is a matter for Christina Townsend, Chief Executive of the Appeals Service. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Christina Townsend to Mrs. Lait dated, 4 June 2003
	The Secretary of State has asked me to respond to your question regarding the number of appeals in respect of wives claiming increased state pension because their husband has reached 65 in each year since 1997, and how many successful cases were not fully backdated.
	No information is available on the number of appeals where the issue was solely an increase of state pension or on how many successful cases were not fully backdated. However, the attached table shows the total number of Retirement Pension appeals cleared, as well as how many had the original decision upheld and how many were found in favour of the appellant. We began collecting information for the first full year in 1998 so no information is available for 1997.
	I hope this reply is helpful
	
		Table 1Retirement pension appeals cleared in the calendar years shown, and whether original decision upheld or found in favour of the appellant
		
			  Appeals cleared Decision upheld Found in favour 
		
		
			 1998 1,270 1,115 140 
			 1999 1,385 1,210 160 
			 2000 965 815 135 
			 2001 1,130 960 155 
			 2002 1,170 1,010 150 
		
	
	Notes:All figures are subject to change as more up to date data becomes available. Figures for the latest months may rise significantly as information feeds through to the Appeals Service. Figures are rounded to the nearest five.Source:
	100 per cent. download of the Generic Appeals Processing System.

Widowers' Pensions

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the factors underlying the Government's decision not to make a statement on widowers' pensions to the European Court of Human Rights on 15 May;
	(2)  what plans the Government has to settle widowers' claims to benefits predating 9 April 2001.

Malcolm Wicks: Before April 2001, there was no statutory basis to make payments of widow's benefits to men. The Government, in introducing its reform of support in bereavement from April 2001, said, following earlier findings by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) that similar cases were admissible, that its obligation was to future widowers. The reforms of 2001 met that obligation and went further by making the new Widowed Parent's Allowance available to existing widowers from its introduction.
	In June 2002, the European Court of Human Rights found that the UK Government had violated the Convention in respect of Mr Kevin Willis by not paying him the Widowed Mother's Allowance and Widow's Payment that he would have been entitled to h.ad he been a woman in the same circumstances. The Court ordered a payment equivalent to the benefit that he would have received had he been a woman and an amount in respect of interest. The Government is not contesting that judgement.
	The Court did not consider the question of widow's pension and litigation remains before the domestic and Strasbourg Courts. The Court of Appeal heard arguments in the domestic cases during week commencing 7 October 2002 and judgment was reserved. The European Court of Human Rights decided to adjourn further hearings of two applications by widowers concerning widow's pension until the completion of the domestic litigation.
	There are important matters to be settled in both jurisdictions that will affect the Government's decisions in dealing with all the widowers affected. The Government is continuing to respond to the European Court of Human Rights1 requests for written observations on individual applications from widowers but, until the litigation is resolved, the Government cannot speculate about the outcomes of these cases or the decisions that it may take in the light of them.

HEALTH

Brain Removal

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which categories of people have had their brains removed from their bodies by authorities in the last 10 years; which authorities have the power to undertake removal; what guidelines apply to each authority in relation to this activity; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: Under the Human Tissue Act 1961, organs and tissue may be taken and used for medical purposes after a post-mortem examination by a national health service pathologist if the person who has died authorised this prior to death. Where the deceased has not expressed a view, relatives may authorise such taking and use of organs and tissue.
	Under the Coroners Act 1988 and Coroners Rules 1984, a coroner undertaking a coroner's post mortem examination may remove and retain any organs or tissue that he/she deems relevant to the cause of death on his/her own authority alone. However, any organ or tissue removed in such cases may not be used for any other purpose unless separate authorisation is obtained.
	Under the Anatomy Act 1984 and Anatomy Regulations 1988, organs and tissue, including brains and brain tissue, may be removed for anatomical examination when a person has bequeathed his or her body for this purpose.
	In terms of the legal implications, the brain is no different from any other part of the human body in respect of the above.
	Following extensive consultation last year, comprehensive new guidance on the taking and use of organs and tissue following post-mortem examination was published on 25 April 2003. This has been placed in the Library. New legislation is also in preparation. This will be brought forward as soon as parliamentary time allows
	Data about the categories of people from whom any organs or tissues have been removed are not collated or held centrally. However, the Report of a Census of Organs and Tissues Retained by Pathology Services in England, published by the Chief Medical Officer in 2000, may be of interest.

Hospital Car Parks

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the provision of disabled parking spaces in hospital car parks.

John Hutton: NHS Estates, an executive agency of the Department of Health, provides advice and guidance to the National Health Service, principally through a series of technical manuals and design publications. These represent best practice and, through their adoption, NHS trusts and health authorities should comply with current legislation affecting disabled people.
	NHS Estates guidance document, Car Parking (1996—Health Facilities Note 21) suggests an overall proportion of disabled parking spaces for healthcare premises, whilst accepting that the number and different types of spaces will be dependent on the range of healthcare services and facilities provided.
	The Department also issued Doubly Disabled—Equality for Disabled People in the new NHS—Access to Services (1999). This guidance gives advice on access for disabled people including 'Transport, cars and parking'. To help underpin this process, an access audit toolkit was developed and made available to all NHS bodies in 1999.

Agenda for Change

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what average change in pay he expects for speech and language therapists in real terms over three years under Agenda for Change; and what proportion of these posts in the NHS are held by women.

John Hutton: holding answer 21 May 2003
	The Agenda for Change proposals include a 10 per cent. uplift to basic pay for all staff groups over the three years from April 2003 to March 2006 and a further estimated increase of 2.5 per cent. in basic pay on average. The changes in pay (over and above 10 per cent.) for specific groups, such as speech and language therapists, will depend on decisions made locally about which national job profile matches a particular post or, where there is no match with a national profile, on a local job evaluation. 97.3 per cent. of the qualified speech and language therapist workforce is female.
	Source:
	Department of Health Non-medical Workforce Census, September 2001.

Agenda for Change

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the implementation of Agenda for Change is conditional upon the results of a ballot of NHS staff; and what account will be taken of the results of consultation with NHS staff in deciding whether Agenda for Change will be rolled out nationally in October 2004.

John Hutton: Agenda for Change has been negotiated by staff and management sides working in partnership. Staff side organisations are consulting their members about Agenda for Change and the majority of these organisations have now announced their results. We expect that a decision about implementation will be made jointly by the United Kingdom health departments, unions and employer representatives once consultation is complete. If this decision is positive, then we will move to the early implementation phase. Where there is evidence from the early implementer sites that the success criteria in the proposed agreement are not being sufficiently met, the appropriate action would be discussed before national roll-out in the new NHS Staff Council. All the nationally recognised staff organisations will be represented on the proposed NHS Staff Council.

Ambulatory Oxygen Services

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on ambulatory oxygen services.

David Lammy: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes, South-West (Dr. Starkey) on 3 June 2003.

Aneurisms

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is regarding screening for aneurisms; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The United Kingdom national screening committee makes recommendations to Ministers on all aspects of screening programmes. It is currently considering the resource costs and work force implications of implementing a screening programme, following the publication of a multi-centre study funded by the Medical Research Council last year. Until these recommendations are received, screening should not be started.

Aspirin

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the regular use of aspirin to tackle heart disease; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The national service framework, based on the advice of an expert group of clinicians, stated that patients at high risk of heart disease or heart attack should take a low dose of aspirin every day, unless other medical considerations made this inadvisable.
	The National Institute for Clinical Excellence is considering clopidogrel in combination with aspirin in the treatment of non ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes. The outcome of this work is not expected until 2004.

Biological Attacks

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information, preparation and guidance have been provided to tertiary centres on infectious and communicable diseases in the event of a biological attack.

John Hutton: Comprehensive guidance, to ensure that the National Health Service is prepared to respond to major incidents or terrorist attacks, was first issued in November 1998, and was entitled Planning for major incidents: the NHS guidance.
	The Health Protection Agency (HPA) (formerly the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS)) has for many years undertaken surveillance of biological agents on the Department's behalf. The approach taken has been to build on the public health need to have in place clinical and laboratory based surveillance for the most likely agents that could be used in a biological attack. This work resulted in the document published by the Department in March 2000, Deliberate release of biological and chemical agents.
	In October 2001 a further package of guidance on the deliberate release of anthrax, smallpox, plague, botulism and the approach to dealing with a chemical, biological or radiological deliberate release was issued. Complementary operational guidance for clinicians, including general practitioners (GPs), was placed on the then PHLS's (now the HPA's) website. These are regularly updated.
	In December 2002, the Department published Interim guidelines for smallpox response and management in the post eradication era on the departmental website. All such guidance is available on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/epcu/cbr/intro.htm with links to complementary guidance on the HPA's website.
	The information and guidance provided by the Department to the NHS is, of course, accessible to the whole NHS.

Blood

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Government's policy in using US-sourced, virally inactivated fresh frozen plasma for transfusion patients.

Hazel Blears: The Government announced on 15 August 2002 that fresh frozen plasma (FFP) will be obtained from the United States for new-born babies and children born after 1 January 1996 as an added precaution against the theoretical risk of vCJD transmission. This announcement is in line with advice from the United Kingdom expert advisory committee on Microbiological Safety of Blood and Tissues for Transplantation, and is designed to protect the most vulnerable group who will not have been exposed to BSE through the food chain.
	The US FFP will be obtained after screening out high risk donors and then further testing every unit for the presence of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. As an added precaution, the US FFP will also be subject to treatment with methylene blue to further reduce the risk of transmission of blood borne viruses.
	The National Blood Service is currently involved in negotiating for supplies of FFP for this group of patients and plans to have it available later this year. A commercially produced FFP product, sourced from the US, is also available for the national health service to purchase.

Cancer

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to increase detection rates for (a) cancer of the bowel and (b) cancer of the colon;
	(2)  what the detection rate is for (a) cancer of the bowel, (b) cancer of the colon and (c) all other cancers.

Hazel Blears: Detection rates for cancer are not collected centrally. In 1999, 28,451 1 cases of colorectal (colon and rectum) cancer were diagnosed. The total number of all cases of cancer diagnosed in 1999 was 221,064.
	In a speech to the Britain Against Cancer Conference on 5 November 2002, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health reaffirmed his commitment to introduce a national screening programme for bowel cancer and to improve services for symptomatic patients. To take this work forward, the National Cancer Director launched the national health service bowel cancer programme on 4 February 2003. The programme has three main strands: developing a national screening programme, streamlining the patient pathway for symptomatic patients, and improving treatment.
	This work will be underpinned by expansion and modernisation of the work force, and a communications strategy for professionals and the general public.
	1 Office for National Statistics Bulletin, September 2002.

Cancer

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been allocated to cancer services in the 2003–06 Local Delivery Plan for the Avon, Gloucester and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority Area.

Hazel Blears: The information is shown in the table.
	
		£ millions
		
			  Cancer service allocation 
		
		
			 2003–04 1.1 
			 2004–05 1.5 
			 2005–06 1.2 
		
	
	These figures are dependent on the strategic health authority's NHS Bank application.

Carers

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in implementing the requirement for general practitioners to identify carers on their patient lists and inform them of services available to carers.

John Hutton: General practitioner's computer systems are required to include a field where the details of carers are entered. More than 98 per cent. of GPs already have access to a desktop computer, which means that they will be prompted for carer details as part of the registration details of patients.
	In addition, the new GP contract, which is currently under consideration, aims to resource and reward GPs on the basis of how well they care for their patients rather than simply the number of patients they treat. One of the quality standards is that, "the practice has a protocol for the identification of carers and a mechanism for the referral of carers for social services assessment".

Childhood Dyspraxia

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the size is of the waiting list for childhood dyspraxia in each trust in England.

John Hutton: Information on the waiting list for childhood dyspraxia is not collected centrally. Information is collected at consultant main specialty level. This can be found on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/waitingtimes.

Diagnostic Testing

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much investment has gone into laboratory diagnostic testing since 1997; what assessment has been made of whether clinical diagnostics can cut down the costs of treatment on the NHS; and if he will make a statement on the benefits to be gained from early diagnosis of illnesses.

John Hutton: During the period 1999–2000 and 2001–02, the Department of Health invested 28 million capital through its pathology modernisation programme in National Health Service pathology services. Extra resources for the NHS were announced in the 2002 Budget, with an annual average increase of 7.4 per cent, above inflation—the largest ever sustained increase in NHS funding—over the five years from 2003–04 to 2007–08. As part of this, we are investing £54 million capital and £9.1 million revenue specifically in pathology services over the three year period from 2003–04 to 2005–06.
	It is clear that early diagnosis can benefit patients. For example, screening for early detection of diabetic retinopathy and laser therapy is effective in preventing visual impairment. Similarly, cancer screening is an important way to detect abnormalities at an early stage, allowing treatment when the cancer is most likely to be curable. We also recognise the benefits of early diagnosis for coronary heart disease in primary care and this approach is supported in the national service framework.

Digital Hearing Aids

John Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what directions he has issued to hospital trusts involved in the first and second waves of the hearing aids modernisation project on ensuring audiology patients have access to digital hearing aids;
	(2)  what his policy is on using age as a criterion for access to digital hearing aids under the hearing aids modernisation project;
	(3)  if he will make a statement on progress with fitting digital hearing aids for analogue hearing aid users within first wave sites of the hearing aids modernisation project;
	(4)  whether first wave sites involved in the digital hearing aids modernisation project started fitting digital hearing aids to new patients before dealing with existing patients.

Jacqui Smith: We have no evidence of audiology departments discriminating against any age group in the fitting of digital hearing aids. Such discrimination would not be acceptable.
	Most first wave sites fitted new patients when they were first modernised and then extended this to include review patients. However, this is a matter for local discretion and some current sites are fitting both new and review patients concurrently from the start. The Royal National Institute for the Deaf has issued guidelines to audiologists in sites taking part in the modernising hearing aid services (MHAS) project. These guidelines advise that patients who have received National Health Services analogue hearing aids in the last three years should not be renewed for a digital aid unless there are clinical reasons why it is particularly appropriate to fit such an aid. The guidelines suggest that patients should be assessed for digital aids if there has been significant deterioration in their hearing since the last assessment, or if the patient has been persistently dissatisfied with the performance of the analogue aid. 83,397 hearing aids had been fitted as part of the modernisation project by the end of March 2003. The cost of finding out how many of those were fitted to patients who already had analogue aids would be disproportionate, and the information is not collected centrally.

Doctors

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors there are per 100 beds in each NHS trust in England.

John Hutton: Information on the number of medical and dental staff per 100 beds in National Health Service trusts within acute and acute teaching clusters, has been placed in the Library. Community trust data has been excluded because the services provided by such trusts are largely non-bed based.

Elderly People

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost of dental treatment was for people over the age of 65 in (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham, (b) Shropshire and (c) England in each year since 1997.

David Lammy: The average cost of a course of dental treatment in the general dental service (GDS) for people 65 years of age and over in Shropshire health authority (HA) area, Shropshire County Primary Care Trust (PCT) area, Telford and Wrekin PCT area and England in 1997–98 to 2002–03 is shown in the table. These costs are for the payment to the dentist and include the patient charge where applicable. Dentists receive other payments, such as continuing care payments for registered patients of 63.7 pence per month for patients aged 65 and over in 2002–03 and commitment payments which depend on the amount of GDS work done.
	Shropshire County PCT, Telford and Wrekin PCT and Shropshire HA are the administrative health authorities for the Shropshire area that includes Shrewsbury and Atcham.
	The responsibility for the delivery of local dental services transferred from HAs to PCTs on 1 October 2002.
	
		General Dental Service: Average cost of course of dental treatment for patients aged 65 and over, 1997–98 to 2002–03 -- £
		
			  Average cost 
			  1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 April to September 2002 October 2002 to March 2003 
		
		
			 Shropshire HA 28.8 28.5 29.9 31.1 31.8 32.1 (32)— 
			 Shropshire County PCT (32)— (32)— (32)— (32)— (32)— (32)— 32.0 
			 Telford and Wrekin PCT (32)— (32)— (32)— (32)— (32)— (32)— 33.8 
			 England 34.8 35.2 35.8 36.2 36.7 37.4 37.0 
		
	
	(32) Data is not available

Emergency Contraception

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding is available in this financial year to develop further pharmacy schemes for the supply of emergency contraception; how the programme will be taken forward; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Department is currently gathering reports from the 15 areas that received one-off funding in 2001–02 to establish pharmacy schemes. Once these reports have been considered the Department plans to disseminate the main findings to the field. We are also planning to develop best practice guidance on training pharmacists in the supply of emergency contraception under a patient group direction.
	Funding for pharmacy schemes is a matter for primary care trusts. Central funding to support the implementation of local teenage pregnancy strategies has increased by 50 per cent. this year, 2003–04, to £24 million. If a local need to improve early access to emergency contraception is indicated, some areas may choose to use some of this funding to develop pharmacy schemes. In addition the document Effective Commissioning of Sexual Health and HIV Services advises that open access to emergency contraception for women of all ages should be maintained over weekends and public holidays.

Energy Efficiency

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what targets his Department has for improving energy efficiency; and how he intends to achieve these targets.

Hazel Blears: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Cheadle (Mrs. Calton) on 29 May 2003.

Euro

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he received the Treasury documents relating to the five economic tests and the 18 background studies; what discussions he has held with ministerial colleagues on the tests since receipt of the documents; when he expects to complete his analysis of the documents; and what representations (a) he and (b) departmental officials will make to other Departments before a decision is reached on the economic tests.

John Hutton: Her Majesty's Treasury's 18 supporting studies on European Monetary Union were sent to Cabinet Ministers on 16 May 2003. My right hon. Friends, the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, are holding meetings with Cabinet Members. There was an initial discussion at Cabinet on 22 May 2003. This will be followed by a special Cabinet meeting on 5 June 2003. My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, will make a statement to the House on 9 June 2003.

Foundation Hospitals

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the underlying deficit is of each of the hospital trusts which he has authorised to proceed with application for foundation status.

John Hutton: holding answer 19 May 2003
	The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		£000
		
			 NHS Foundation Trust Applicants 2001- 02 Income and Expenditure Reserve Cumulative Surplus/Deficit) 
		
		
			 Addenbrooke's NHS Trust 4,379 
			 Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust (8,586) 
			 Basildon and Thurrock General Hospital NHS Trust 3,817 
			 Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust (15,099) 
			 Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust 222 
			 City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Trust 2,152 
			 Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Trust 950 
			 Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Trust 329 
			 Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust 8,065 
			 Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Trust (3,897) 
			 Homerton University Hospital NHS Trust (428) 
			 King's College Hospital NHS Trust (561) 
			 Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust 1,857 
			 Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust 6,199 
			 North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust 1,020 
			 Nuffield Orthopaedic NHS Trust (2,753)  
			 Papworth Hospital NHS Trust 1,844 
			 Peterborough Hospitals NHS Trust 2,318 
			 Rotherham General Hospitals NHS Trust 29 
			 Royal Devon and Exeter Healthcare NHS Trust 3,407 
			 Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 479 
			 Southern Derbyshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 335 
			 Stockport NHS Trust 276 
			 The Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Trust 1,082 
			 The Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust 5,939 
			 University College London Hospital NHS Trust 774 
			 University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust 1,106 
			 Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust 5,851 
			 Total 21,106 
		
	
	Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust, was created on 1 April 2003 and therefore is not in the table
	Source:
	NHS Trust Audited Summarisation Schedules 2001–2002

Foundation Hospitals

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the hospitals which have been given leave to apply for foundation status, and the constituencies within which each is situated.

John Hutton: Information listing the National Health Service trusts, the hospitals which from each trust and the constituencies they are situated in, which have been give leave to apply for foundation trust status, has been placed in the Library.

Foundation Hospitals

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce random selection as a method of choosing people to sit on the boards of foundation hospitals.

John Hutton: Subject to Parliamentary approval, the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill will provide for applicants for National Health Service foundation trust status to determine the detail of their constitutional arrangements including arrangements for election to the board of governors.

General Practitioners

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the average change in income arising from the proposed GP contract for GP practices which do not qualify for the proposed minimum practice income guarantee; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: holding answer 22 May 2003
	The new contract for general medical services negotiated between the General Practitioners Committee of the British Medical Association and the NHS Confederation provides for an unprecedented level of additional investment in primary care services. If the contract is accepted, overall investment in England would rise by 33 per cent, over the next three years.
	The minimum practice income guarantee is designed to ensure that no practice loses out from the new allocation formula, providing they achieve a minimum level of quality. Practices that gain from the allocation formula will not receive a minimum practice income guarantee and will have their global sum allocation determined by the formula. Most practices will see a substantial rise in gross income. The average increase will depend on what services general practitioner practices provide and the level of quality they achieve.

General Practitioners

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GPs are training in Somerset in 2002–03.

Hazel Blears: The September 2002 national health service work force censuses will be published shortly. The table shows the number of GP Registrars nationally and in Somerset health authority in September 2001 and March 2002.
	
		GP Registrars (GPs in training) within Somerset health authority September 2001 to March 2002 -- Numbers (headcount)
		
			  2001(33) 2002(34) 
		
		
			 England 1,883 1,908 
			 of which:   
			 Somerset health authority (QD5) 28 25 
		
	
	(33) Data as at 30 September 2001.
	(34) Data as at 31 March 2002.
	Source:
	Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.

General Practitioners

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he issues to General Practitioners on the (a) diagnosis of medical conditions and (b) issuing of prescriptions by telephone, and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The Department has not issued any advice on the diagnosis of medical conditions or the issue of prescriptions by telephone to general practitioners.

Hospices

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the contribution of hospices to the work of the NHS.

Hazel Blears: We greatly appreciate the excellent work done by all hospices in supporting people who are suffering from terminal or life threatening illnesses. Indeed, the voluntary hospice movement in the United Kingdom is considered a world leader in palliative care.
	In the NHS Cancer Plan published in September 2000, we pledged that the National Health Service contribution to the costs of specialist palliative care, including hospices, would increase by £50 million by 2004 to help tackle inequalities in access to specialist palliative care and to enable the NHS to make a realistic contribution to the costs hospices incur in providing agreed levels of services.
	We have set up a central budget of £50 million per annum for specialist palliative care for three years from 2003–04. This represents an increase of nearly 40 per cent. in NHS funding for specialist palliative care services over 2000 levels.

Hospices

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on funding given to hospices through the NHS; how much funding from the NHS will be given to children's hospices in 2003–04; and how much funding from the NHS will be given to (a) Derian House and (b) Catherine's Hospice in 2003–04.

Hazel Blears: Primary care trusts have a pivotal role in assessing the extent of health care needs within their catchment area and funding service provision, including adult hospice and children's hospice services. The level of funding agreed is a matter for local discussion.
	A central budget of an additional £50 million per annum for specialist palliative care, including hospices, has been set up for the three years beginning 2003–04. This funding is specifically to meet the commitments and aims set out in the NHS Cancer Plan. The extra £50 million represents an increase of about 38 per cent. in the amount of National Health Service funding being put into adult specialist palliative care over 2000 levels and means that the pledge in the NHS Cancer Plan will be more than met. Allocation from this £50 million to local cancer networks will be made once network investment plans have been approved by the joint NHS/voluntary sector group—National Partnership Group.
	During 2002–03 Chorley and South Ribble Primary Care Trust provided £472,000 to St. Catherine's Hospice and £11,000 to Derian House. These amounts will be uplifted to reflect inflation during 2003–04 prior to any further allocation which may be made from the £50 million.

Hospital Financing

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the difference in revenue implications for an NHS trust that accesses public capital through the Department and strategic health authorities and a foundation trust that accesses capital via loans they will be expected to repay.

John Hutton: Borrowing by national health service foundation trusts will not affect the amount of total capital available to the NHS. The amount of total capital available is agreed through the Spending Review process.

Hospital Trusts

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish the results of star ratings for hospital trusts.

John Hutton: The next set of national health service performance (star) ratings will be published by the Commission for Health Improvement, the independent regulator for NHS performance, later this summer.

Hospital Trusts

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which hospital trusts have appealed against their provisional star rating assessments.

John Hutton: National health service trusts are not being given a provisional star rating assessment in advance of the NHS Performance Ratings publication.

In-patient Episodes

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital in-patient episodes lasted longer than (a) 6 weeks and (b) 13 weeks in the last year for which figures are available.

John Hutton: There were a total 12,357,320 finished hospital in-patient consultant episodes in National Health Service hospitals in England in 2001–02. Of these, 195,762 lasted more than six weeks of which 55,347 lasted more than 13 weeks.
	Note:Figures given above have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data.

Medical Students

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the admission of students to medical schools can be restricted on the grounds of their views on (a) abortion and (b) euthanasia; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: holding answer 3 June 2003
	Whilst the Government sets the target intake to medical school, all aspects of selection and admission are the responsibility of individual universities and medical schools. The Department of Health supports the Council of Heads of Medical Schools' (CHMS) 1999 statement of nine "Guiding Principles for the Admission of Medical Students", in which it commends to all the United Kingdom's medical schools good practice in equal opportunities. The principles stress that selection procedures for medical students must be transparent and involve procedures that respect obligations under the Race Relations Act and offer equality of opportunity.

Medicines Control Agency

Paul Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the purpose was in renaming the Medical Control Agency; and whether this represents a change in remit.

John Hutton: holding answer 20 May 2003
	The Secretary of State decided to merge the Medicines Control Agency and the Medical Devices Agency in June 2002. The merged agency is called the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and came into being on 1 April 2003.
	Most European Union member states have combined the competent authorities which manage the regulation of these sectors, as has the United States. An increasing number of products cross the borderline between medicines and devices.
	The combined remit of the MHRA remains the regulation of medicines and medical devices and there has been no change in the legislation which underpins the regulation in these sectors as a result of the merger.

Mental Health

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the recent National Institute for Clinical Excellence reviews of schizophrenia and electro-convulsive therapy; and what impact the recommendations contained will have on policy towards mental health.

Hazel Blears: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has within the last 12 months published technology appraisal guidance on the use of atypical anti-psychotics in schizophrenia and on the use of electro-convulsive therapy, as well as a clinical guideline on the treatment and management of schizophrenia in primary and secondary care. We welcome this guidance from NICE, which will assist in the on-going programme of mental health service modernisation.

Mental Health

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the national health service plans to invest in research into the benefits of alternatives to medication in the treatment of mental ill health in the next five years.

Hazel Blears: There are many different approaches to treatment and care for people with mental health problems, including approaches such as assertive outreach; self-help; individual and family approaches to psychological therapy. Information about the levels of investment in research in all these areas, and a list of future priorities is available on the Department of Health website at ww.doh.gov.uk/research/.

MMR Vaccine

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children in England received the MMR vaccine in each of the last five years.

Hazel Blears: Information about immunisation rates for MMR for children by their second birthday and by their fifth birthday for the last five years is shown in the table.
	
		Percentage of children immunised against MMR
		
			   By their 5th birthday(35) 
			  By their 2nd birthday First dose First and second dose 
		
		
			 1997–98 90.8 — — 
			 1998–99 88.3 — — 
			 1999–2000 87.6 93.0 76.0 
			 2000–01 87.4 91.9 74.8 
			 2001–02 84.1 90.8 74.0 
		
	
	(35) Information about uptake at age five was collected for the first time in 1999–2000.
	Source:
	Department of Health, Statistics Division SD3G, COVER data.

Mumps Vaccine

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children are on the waiting list to receive the mumps vaccine; and at the current rate of entry of the vaccine into the UK, how long he estimates it will take to clear the backlog.

Hazel Blears: This vaccine is not recommended as a part of the childhood schedule, MMR is the licensed vaccine provided for this purpose. The only waiting lists are at private clinics and therefore the information is not collected by the Department of Health.

National Institute for Clinical Excellence

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list investigations undertaken by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence on (a) medicines and (b) good practice procedures.

David Lammy: To date, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued 62 pieces of guidance on health technologies (including drugs, medical devices and diagnostic procedures) and eight clinical guidelines which contain recommendations for the treatment of specific conditions. A full list of publications can be obtained from the NICE website at www.nice.org.uk.

NHS Appointments

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on charging overseas applicants for NHS posts for conversion training to enable them to join the NHS.

John Hutton: The code of practice for National Health Service employers involved in the international recruitment of healthcare professionals published in 2001 stipulates that no fee should be charged by NHS employers to international applicants undergoing a supervised practice placement.
	Details of the code of practice can be found on the Department's website at www.doh.qov.uk/international-recruitment.

NHS Dentists

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of children of school age are registered with an NHS dentist in (a) North Shropshire, (b) the West Midlands and (c) England.

David Lammy: The table shows the estimated percentages of children aged between five and 16 years who are registered with a general dental service (GDS) dentist at 13 April 2003 in Shropshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) areas, West Midlands Strategic Health Authority (SHA) areas and England.
	
		General Dental Service: Percentage of children aged five to 16 registered with a GDS dentist, 13 April 2003
		
			 PCT/SHA Percentage of children aged five to 16 registered with a GDS dentist 
		
		
			 Shropshire County PCT 75.0 
			 Telford and Wrekin PCT 80.3 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire SHA 72.2 
			 Birmingham and the Black Country SHA 64.2 
			 Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire SHA 72.5 
			 England 71.9 
		
	
	Note:
	The population data for SHAs are based on ONS supplied local authority population. For PCTs the population data are based on GP registered patients constrained ONS resident populations. Estimates have been used for 15 and 16 year olds in PCTs.
	Registrations lapse if patients do not return to their dentist within 15 months and so the registration figures exclude patients who have not been to their CDS dentist within the past 15 months. Also excluded from the figures are patients who receive dental treatment from other national health service dental services, including dental access centres.

NHS Direct

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his Answer of 6th May, Official Report, column 662W, on NHS Direct, what reference is made in the review to past (a) successes and (b) failures of NHS Direct.

David Lammy: Paragraph 58 of the NHS Direct strategy document highlights the key issues identified by the NHS Direct organisational review as needing to be addressed in developing a future organisation model for the service.

NHS Direct

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 12 May 2003, Official Report, column 107W, on NHS Direct, when the National Patients Database will be established; and if he will make a statement on patient confidentiality in relation to this database.

David Lammy: A NHS Direct national patient database will be created for the service by summer 2004 and will permit nurses to handle calls seamlessly from other parts of the country. NHS Direct aims to meet the best standards of patient confidentiality concurrent with promoting continuity and safety of care for the caller. Everyone working for the national health service is under a legal duty of confidence. Information concerning users and their families given to professionals in confidence for a particular purpose should not be used for other purposes or disclosed to a third party without the consent of the individual(s) concerned.

NHS Direct

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of calls to NHS Direct were answered (a) within one minute, (b) within two minutes and (c) within four minutes in the most recent quarter for which figures are available; and what the target is for response times at the end of 2003.

David Lammy: Information is not collected centrally in the form requested. NHS Direct is working towards answering 90 per cent. of calls within 30 seconds. The table sets out performance for the past six months:
	
		
			 Month Percentage of calls answered in less than 30 seconds 
		
		
			 October 63 
			 November 60 
			 December 62 
			 January 70 
			 February 61 
			 March 57

NHS Employees (Gulf)

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS (a) doctors and (b) nurses are serving with the Territorial Army in the Gulf.

John Hutton: As at 20 May, there were some 195 national health service nurses and 45 NHS doctors serving with the Territorial Army in the Gulf.

Obesity

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of levels of (a) obesity and (b) youth obesity; and what research he has evaluated on levels in other European countries.

Hazel Blears: Trends in overweight and obesity in England are measured yearly through the Health Survey for England. The latest figures for 2001 showed that 21 per cent. of men and 23.5 per cent. of women are obese. The survey also showed that 8.5 per cent. of six year olds and 15 per cent. of 15 year olds are obese.
	A European Union survey by the Institute of European Food Studies, 1999, showed that the United Kingdom has the highest rate of self-reported obesity in the EU, but measurement-based sources, such as the Danish MONICA studies, show the prevalence of obesity in the UK to be below the EU average.

Osteopaths

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of conditionally registered osteopaths awaiting confirmation of full registration on 9 May 2003.

John Hutton: holding answer 3 June 2003
	There were no conditionally registered osteopaths awaiting confirmation of full registration on 9 May 2003. Since the opening of the General Osteopathic Council's register in 1998, 1,142 osteopaths have been converted from conditional to full registration.

Overseas Treatment

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS patients have been treated in continental Europe so far this year; what the treatment was for; and at what cost.

John Hutton: To date, a total of 209 patients have been treated abroad in 2003 as part of the overseas treatment and cardiac choice programmes. Of these, 207 patients were referred to France for orthopaedic procedures and two patients were referred to Belgium for cardiac procedures.
	A procurement process identifying spare capacity abroad is currently active, so the costs of specific procedures abroad are commercially sensitive. However, prices are comparable to spot purchasing in the United Kingdom private sector.

Overseas Treatment

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what occasions private planes were chartered to transport NHS patients for treatment in continental European hospitals; and at what cost.

John Hutton: Since the pilot, 247 patients have been referred abroad as part of the overseas treatment programme. Patients have travelled using a number of different modes of transport, including ambulance, Eurostar and air charter. Air charter is only used where the numbers to be transported make the option cost effective. Air charter has been used on five occasions to transport 122 patients from Plymouth National Health Service Trust and the Royal United Hospital in Bath to hospitals in St. Etienne, France. Spare capacity was made available to the patient's relatives, at no cost to the NHS. The precise costs of the air charter are subject to commercial confidentiality; the cost per patient for the air charter compared well with the cost of the equivalent commercial flights.

Physiotherapy Training

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people completed their training as a physiotherapist in each of the last three years.

John Hutton: The information requested is not collected centrally. The Department of Health holds information on the number of training places for physiotherapy, but not the number who complete training. Information on the number of training places for physiotherapists in each of the last six years is shown in the table.
	
		Training Commissions for Physiotherapy
		
			  Headcount 
		
		
			  
			  
			 1996–97 1,093 
			 1997–98 1,204 
			 1998–99 1,344 
			 1999–2000 1,346 
			 2000–01 1,473 
			 2001–02 1,780 
		
	
	Between 1997–98 and 2001–02, the number of training places for physiotherapists has increased by 580. This represents a 48 per cent. increase.

Prescription Pricing Authority

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the cost was to the NHS in 1990 values of the Prescription Pricing Authority in each year from 1990–91 to 2002–03;
	(2)  how much was paid to the Prescription Pricing Authority for each prescription dispensed in each year since 1990–91, in 1990 values.

David Lammy: The cost to the national health service in 1990–91 values of the Prescription Pricing Authority (PPA) and the cost of dispensing each prescription is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Cost of the PPA in 1990–91 values (£000s) Cost of dispensing each prescription item in 1990–91 values (£s) 
		
		
			 2002–03 46,626 0.07 
			 2001–02 45,777 0.08 
			 2000–01 43,438 0.08 
			 1999–00 36,969 0.07 
			 1998–99 34,488 0.06 
			 1997–98 32,295 0.06 
			 1996–97 33,912 0.07 
			 1995–96 34,946 0.07 
			 1994–95 39,709 0.08 
			 1993–94 38,992 0.09 
			 1992–93 35,169 0.08 
			 1991–92 27,631 0.07 
			 1990–91 37,772 0.09 
		
	
	Notes:
	The figures in column 1 represent the joint revenue and capital cost and vary according to what is required of the PPA in any year.
	The figures in column 2 have been calculated on the basis that the entire cost of the PPA has been used for processing prescriptions.

Primary Care Trusts

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which primary care trusts have been the subject of non-routine review carried out by a strategic health authority since they were established.

John Hutton: This information is not centrally collected.

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Department has taken to publicise its Public Service Agreement targets; and at what cost to public funds.

David Lammy: Information on public service agreement targets is published on the Department's website and included in routine publications such as departmental reports, which involves no significant extra cost.

Secondments

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his Answer of 28th April, Official Report, column 293W, on secondments, if he will list the organisations to which civil servants in his Department have been seconded since 2001 in (a) the private sector, (b) NGOs and (c) other, stating in each case the number of civil servants seconded to that organisation and their grade.

David Lammy: The organisations to which civil servants in the Department of Health have been seconded since 2001 are shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Organisation Number of civil servants Grade of civil servant 
		
		
			 Local Councils 11/1/6 IP4 (Grade 6/70 IP3 (HEO/SEO) IP2 (EO) 
			 National Health Service 7/54/20/9 Senior Civil Servant IP4 (Grade 6/7) IP3 (HEO/SEO) IP2 (EO) 
			 Other Government Departments 9/3/3/2 IP4 (Grade 6/7) IP3 (HEO/SEO) IP2 (EO) IPI (AA/AO) 
			 Non-Departmental public bodies 8/2 IP4 (Grade 6/7) IP2 (EO) 
			 European Departmental public bodies 8/2 IP4 (Grade 6/7) 
			 Ministere des Affaires Sociales—Paris 1 IP4 (grade 6/7) 
			 National Radiological Protection Board 1 IP4 (Grade 6/7) 
			 Skills for Health (Health for Works UK) 2 IP4 (Grade 6/7) 
			 Learning Skills Council 1 IP3 (HEO/SEO) 
			 Ministry of Health (Greece) 1 IP2 (EO) 
			 Big Brothers and Sisters 1 IP3 (HEO/SEO 
			 NHS Confederation 2 IP4 (Grade 6/7) 
			 Healthwork UK 1 IP4 (Grade 6/7) 
			 Barclays Bank 1 IP2 (EO) 
			 University College 1 IP2 (EO/) 
			 University of Leeds 1 IP3 (HEO/SEO) 
			 Public Guardianship Office 1 IP4 (Grade 6/7) 
			 British Red Cross Society 1 Senior Civil Servant 
			 World Health Organisation 1 Senior Civil Servant 
			 St. Michael's Hospice, Hastings 1 IP2 (EO) 
			 Association for Residential Care 1 IP3 (HEO/SEO) 
			 MORI 1 IP2 (EO) 
			 Golden Lane Housing 1 IP4 (Grade 6/7) 
			 Skills for People 1 IP4 (Grade 6/7) 
			 National Institute for Adult and Continuing Education (NIACE) 1 IP4 (Grade 6/7) 
			 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority 1 IP4 (Grade 6/7) 
			 Trust for the Study of Adolescence 1 IP4 (Grade 6/7) 
			 Drugscope 1 IP3 (HEO/SEO) 
			 National Children's Bureau 1 IP3 (HEO/SEO) 
			 Health Advisory Service 1 IP3 (HEO/SEO) 
			 Sport England 1 IP4 (Grade 6/7)

Security Incidents

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his Answer of 6 May, Official Report, column 665W, on security incidents, what definition of security incident is used in the figures provided; what the changes to the reporting procedures were; and where the acknowledgement was made that the level of recorded incidents was likely to rise in the short term.

John Hutton: Up until March 2003 security incidents were reported to NHS Estates and the definition of a security incident used in the figures referred to was as follows:
	"the total number of security and deliberate violent incidents recorded by the organisation site for the reporting period. These include assaults on staff and client to client, and any incident requiring intervention by security personnel or police attendance".
	No changes to the reporting procedure have been made since this system was introduced in 1999. Acknowledgement that the level of recorded incidents was likely to rise in the short-term was included in Health Service Circular 1999/229 (October 1999).
	On 1 April 2003, the National Health Service Counter Fraud and Security Management Service was launched with the responsibility of, in respect of security management, protecting the NHS—by delivering an environment for those who use or work in the NHS which is properly secure so that the highest possible standard of clinical care can be made available.

Sexual Health

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases.

Hazel Blears: We are taking a number of steps to reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The Department has:
	Developed the first ever Sexual Health and HIV Strategy, which was published in July 2001. An implementation action plan was published in June 2002.
	Launched a £4 million public information campaign, the "sex lottery", in December 2002. This promotes messages around safer sex and the use of condoms in a relevant and realistic way.
	Invested £5 million last year and £10 million this year to improve access to genito-urinary medicine services and reduce waiting times.
	Selected 10 areas to take forward the first phase of a national chlamydia screening programme. We will be calling for bids for inclusion in the second phase of the programme shortly.
	Established an independent advisory group on sexual health, which met for the first time in May. The group will provide advice to the Government and monitor progress on the implementation of the Sexual Health and HIV Strategy including any further action necessary to achieve the strategy's aims. These include reducing the transmission of HIV and STIs and reducing the prevalence of undiagnosed HIV and STIs.
	These measures, together with others in our national strategy, should start to reduce new transmissions and subsequent complications and improve access to services.

Biodefence

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding is available within his Department for (a) routine testing for (i) anthrax, (ii) botulism, (iii) staphylococcus enterotoxin B, (iv) ricin, (v) plague and (vi) smallpox and (b) research into biodefence.

John Hutton: Funding for all routine testing for anthrax, botulism, staphylococcus enterotoxin B and plague is covered within the overall funding of diagnostic testing services across the National Health Service and is not separately identified. Routine testing for smallpox is not undertaken as this disease has been eradicated. Testing for Ricin is not undertaken within the NHS and is only undertaken at DSTL Porton Down.
	Research into biodefence is co-ordinated across Government by the Home Office as part of its overall chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear programme. The Department of Health has funded a number of research projects from within its existing overall research programme to help plan the responses required in the event of a bioterrorist incident. The Department also provided funding of £2.4 million revenue and £8 million capital in 2002–03 for a strategic response capability at the Health Protection Agency Porton Down, formerly the Centre for Applied Microbiological Research. This response capability includes biodefence research.

Urban Animals

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact on public health of the change in numbers of (a) pigeons, (b) rats and (c) urban foxes in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Hazel Blears: The data on the species identified are not available. The abundance of pigeons, rats and urban foxes has not been brought to the attention of the UK Zoonoses Group or the previous Zoonoses Group for England as a national public health issue.

Waiting Times

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients admitted to accident and emergency departments waited more than 12 hours before being treated in each of the last two quarters for which figures are available; and what the average waiting time for patients waiting more than 12 hours is.

David Lammy: Information is not collected on how long patients wait in Accident and Emergency before being treated or the average waiting time for patients in A&E.
	Information is collected and published on total time spent in A&E from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge and on waiting times in A&E following a decision to admit patients to a hospital ward. The available information for the last two quarters is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Percentage of patients who spent less than four hours in A&E from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge Number of patients not placed in a bed in a ward within four hours of a decision to admit 
		
		
			 July to September 2002 77 56,581 
			 October to December 2003 78 67,231 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form QMAE

World Summit on Sustainable Development

John Horam: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which United Kingdom commitments arising from the World Summit on Sustainable Development (a) have been incorporated into the Department's existing delivery plan for Service Delivery Agreements and (b) will be incorporated in its delivery plan for Service Delivery Agreements in advance of the 2004 Spending Review.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 22 May 2003
	The Government has made clear its commitment to implementing what was agreed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg. Details of those Departments with lead responsibility for taking this forward is available in the Library.
	The Department of Health does not have a lead responsibility in relation to WSSD. Although there is no major direct health interest, poor water quality and sanitation, for example, are recognised causes of ill health and disease. Therefore, we are continuing to work with other Government Departments to ensure that, where appropriate, health and health care issues are included in the effective delivery of the UK commitments made in Johannesburg.
	The Department is represented on the Government's new Sustainable Development Task Force announced by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in February 2003. The task force will play an important part in the review of the Government's Sustainable Development Strategy, which will take into account World Summit outcomes.